SETTLED EUROPE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 7

SETTLED EUROPE.

IMPORTANT TALKS.

Reported Franco-British

Agreement.

LONDON CONVERSATIONS. j (United P.A.-Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 3. M. Laval broadcast the results of the conversations between the French and British Ministers throughout France from London. Afterwards he talked with newspapermen and a microphone was switched on to enable the French to listen. He emphasised tho Franco-British i friendship, unity and solidarity of interests in which the discussions had been carried on and expressed the view that after the Saax and Rome agreements, the London conversations mark an important date in diplomatic history. Hope of German Response. "Mi Flandin and myself," he said, "wholeheartedly hope that the results will be cordially welcomed, especially by Germany, who, we trust, will respond to our pressing call. It is the hope of Britain and France to pursue and achieve methodically the organisation of European security. We have worked hard for peace." A proposed aerial pact between France and Britain has been communicated to Germany, Italy and Belgium. Paris newspapers generally acclaim the success of the discussions. "Le Temps' , characterises them as equalling in importance the Rome agreements, and says they must not be interpreted as a Franco-British solution imposed on other nations, but as a recommendation of the methods most, suitable to produce a general settlement. It is a great step towards the consolidation of peace, the ' paper says. "L'lntransigeant" declares that everything will now be changed in international relations. Aviation is the mistress of peace and can police the world. The "Journal des Debats" laments the recognition of German rearmament as due to successful blackmailing, but says the air agreement is more valuable than the Locarno Pact. "Populaire -, says the solution is satisfactory if it can be fully realised. The "News-Chronicle," in a leading article, says the suggestions made at the conferences were ingenious and wellconsidered, and should form a new starting point towards European peace. Germany certainly should see in them no vestige of hostility or encirclement, but an honourable means of facilitating a return to the comity of nations. Proposed Air Convention. It is stated in well-informed French circles that proposals were drawn up for an air convention between Britain and France, and that a substantial measure of agreement was reached on this question. Details remain to be worked, out by experts of both countries. Also, it is suggested there is a proposal for the cancellation of the military clauses of the Treaty of Versailles with the exception of the demilitarisation of the left bank of the Rhine.

The general atmosphere among the French representatives appeared to be one of satisfaction. It is emphasised that no formal pact has been prepared, but it is said by a French authority: "We realised a high measure of agreement."

"Everything is going well but the conversations are not finished," said the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, on leaving No. 10, Downing Street at 8 p.m. yesterday after the discussions had lasted five hours.

! Tlhe French Ministers, MM. Flandin ! and Laval hurried out to dine before the resumption of the conference later iii the evening. Cabinet Hurriedly Summoned. The day's surprise was the sudden summoning of the Cabinet —an unusual 1 event on Saturdays—after the morning's negotiations, which had been informally carried on until luncheon time. The Cabinet meeting lasted 15 minutes. Ministers are reported to have been shown a secret dossier prepared by the French General Staff, containing a schedule of Germany's military forces. The continuance of the negotiations after dinner necessitated M. Flandin postponing his visit to Sir -Gomer Berry at Farnham, where the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, is a guest. M. Flandin will go to Sir GoineT-'s to-day and expects to discuss financial affairs with Mr. Chamberlain. M. Laval visited Mr. Arthur Henderson, president of the Disarmament Conference, and discussed a continuance of the Disarmament Bureau's work.