NO COMMITMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 282, 29 November 1938, Page 9

NO COMMITMENTS.

BRITAIN TO FRANCE.

Premier Reports To Commons On Paris Talks. FRANCO STILL GETTING HELP. British Official Wireless. (Received 3 p.m.) RUGBY, November 28. Asked in the House of Commons whether Britain was in certain circumstances committed to send expeditionary forces to France, and whether as a result of his Paris visit there had been any increase in such commitments, Mr. Chamberlain rephed: "The answer is in the negative." He also told the Opposition Leader, Mr. C. K. Attlee, that no decisions were taken at Paris regarding defence which involved obligations for Britain.

In a statement on the Parie talks, Mr. Chamberlain eaid: "The Foreign Secretary and I were very glad to accept the cordial invitation of the French Government to visit Parie and take advantage of the opportunity of resuming conversations with French Ministers.

"I should like to express our warm appreciation of . the very gratifying welcome we received from the French liovernment and people of Paris.

'"Views were exchanged on the principal questions in which our two countries have common concern, including matters of national defence ae well ae diplomatic uction. We found ourselves in complete agreement on general policy, which in both cases finds its main objective in the preservation and consolidation of peace.

"As the purpose of our meeting was to exchange views rather than to take decisions, I am not in a poeition to make a more detailed statement on the conversations."

No new decision on the granting of belligerent rights to General Franco was reached as a result of the Paris talks. This was made clear by Mr. Chamberlain in another statement, and Mr R. A. Butler, Foreign Under-Secretary, informed a member, who asked what conditions remained to be (satisfied before the Non-intervention Committee's plan for granting of belligerent righte could be put into force, that the plan must first be accepted by General Franco, then "substantial progress," ae defined by the committee, must be made in the withdrawal of foreign nationals from both sides.

Mr. Butler also intimated that the secretary of the Non-intervention Committee had been unable while at Burgos to becure any modification of General Franco's proposal to accept the plan. When asked if any Italian or German troops with war material had arrived in Spain during recent weeks, Mr Butler *aid that such information as had been received would indicate that some assistance had been received from these rountrics during the last two monthe.