POWERS' EVASION OF BRITISH ADVANCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 7

POWERS' EVASION OF BRITISH ADVANCES.

FOR NEW LOCARNO. Position of Negotiations Outlined. ONLY FRANCE RESPONDS. British Official Wireless. (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, February 3. The position of the negotiations for a new Locarno was outlined in the House of Commons by the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, who recalled that on November 6 the British Government had addressed a Note to the other Governments concerned which contained a comparison of the views expressed by the five Governments on eertain questions in respect of which preparation was considered to be essential before a conference met.

The British Government had addressed a further Note to the other Governments giving its views as to how the various opinions expressed by the five Governments on this question could best be reconciled, and inviting their views.

Mr. Eden added that the French Government had replied, but no reply had yet been received from the Belgian, German or Italian Governments.

He observed that the German Chancellor, on March 31 last, did not propose any immediate general negotiations other than a new security agreement for Western Europe between the Locarno Powers.

Mr. Eden added that it had always been the expectation of the British Government that progress in the negotiation of a new western agreement to take th«: place of the Treaty of Locarno would lead to a -widening of the area of discussions so as to include other problems, the solution of which was essential to the peace of Europe.