NEW ENTENTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 7

NEW ENTENTE.

AIMED AT PEACE.

No Military Alliance Between Britain And France.

CRITICS ANSWERED

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 1. Lord Cushendun, Acting Foreign Secretary, addressing a, meeting at Dartford last night, referred to the passage in his recent speech at Blackpool, which dealt with the AngloFrench compromise, remarking that some surprise had been expressed at his statement that there was no new entente with France because the old entente had never been dissolved. He. said: "The reason why that criticism has been made has been because people have forgotten the history of that entente and have misunderstood its meaning. "It used to be almost a commonplace that France and England were natura? enemies but the people of both countries got together and asked why that should be so and eventually the two peoples agreed that they should enter into an entente, drawing together in friendship that was not a military alliance. But in 1914 we did have a military alliance with France over and above the established entente. "When war was finished the military alliance had done its work and came to an end. We have no military alliance with France. We have entered into no fresh engagement with France but the old friendship still continues, and I hope will still continue, but what has happened since the war has been that by the great pact of Locarno the entente was extended so as to include Germany as well as France.

"When I say we have still an entente with France I should add that we also have an entente with Germany. We are anxious to maintain relations of cordiality and friendship with both those great nations as well as with Italy. Above all wo desire, and are determined to maintain, a thorough understanding and friendly relationship with the United States. If we succeed, as we shall in that aim, then the peace of the world, which is the greatest interest of mankind, is certainty assured."