SATISFACTORY REPLY GIVEN BY FRANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 249, 21 October 1935, Page 7

SATISFACTORY REPLY GIVEN BY FRANCE.

ASSIST BRITAIN.

Full Assurance Regarding Mediterranean.

MISUNDERSTANDING REMOVED United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12 noon.) LONDON, October 20. A conference in Paris between the French Prime Minister, M. Laval, and the British Ambassador, Sir George Clerk, , resulted in France's reply to the question whether she .would assist the British Fleet in the Mediterranean in case of attack being transmitted to London last evening. This was two days before it was anticipated, as it was thought M. Laval would insist upon his Cabinet's approval. A communique issued by the Embassy says M. Laval gave Sir George a very full answer to the various points in the recent conversations. This cannot be discussed until Sir Samuel Hoare, the. British Foreign Secretary, has studied the French Note. However, it is understood that M. Laval's expressed opinion was a plain afErma'tive. M. Laval has been elected by two Senatorial constituencies, resulting in his retaining tho Premiership until the general elections in the spring of 1936. His election is regarded as a triumph for his home and foreign policy, and will strengthen tho Government. The "Daily Mail" Paris correspondent says authoritative circles declare that M. Laval's reply dissipates all misunderstandings between Britain and France, M. Laval having given an unequivocal undertaking to carry out France's obligations.

This correspondent also says it is understood that on instructions from London Sir George told M. Laval that Britain would withdraw two of her battleships from the Mediterranean if France would send two of hers there. Further, it is reported that on M. Laval's initiative Signor Mussolini has been asked to state hie minimum proposals for a settlement of the dispute with Abyssinia. The "Daily Telegraph" Paris correspondent says M. Laval's reply pledges France's co-operation in all collective measures under the Covenant. The Paris* correspondent of "The Times" says various factors contributed to M. Laval's unexpectedly early reply, notably the serious alarm among his own colleagues at the continued delay, also the growing British impatience at his apparent hesitation. The semi-official Paris newspaper "Le Temps" says it anticipates the immediate withdrawal of Italian reinforcements from Libya consequent on the reduction of Britain's naval strength in the Mediterranean, now that French support there is assured. The text of the French reply to Britain is not to be published. It is considered that the upshot of the conversations between Britain, France and Italy has been a guarantee that the war will not spread, but that it does not bring the hostilities in Abyssinia nearer to a conclusion. The "Manchester Guardian ,, diplomatic correspondent says that M. Laval's affirmative reply to Britain's question about the Mediterranean should end the tension between Britain and Italy. It is a long time since the situation between two great Powers lias been so serious.

Egypt and Britain must insist upon the termination of the anti-British agitation and the withdrawal of at least part of the Italian forces from the Egyptian frontier, though there can be no question of withdrawing the Fleet in return for that action. The Fleet is not in the Mediterranean to counteract Italian moves in Libya but in order to defend British communications, harbours' and naval bases.