BRITAIN CERTAINLY WOULD AID FRANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 7

BRITAIN CERTAINLY WOULD AID FRANCE.

WITH ALL FORCES. Unequivocal Statement Br Mr. Chamberlain. REBUFF TO MUSSOLINII United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, February (i. Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, at question time, referred to the solidarity of interests uniting France and Britain, and declared that any threat to the vital interests of France must evoke British co-operation with France. He was answering Mr. Arthur Henderson (Lab., Kingswinford) on M. Bonnet's recent statement that, in case of war iit which the two countries were in-1 volved, all the forces of Great Britain would be at the disposal of France just as all the forces of France would be at the disposal of Britain, and he said: "This is in complete accordance with the views of Britain." Mr. Chamberlain then added —and the declaration attracted considerable attention in the House—"lt is impossible to examine in detail all hypothetical cases which may arise, but I feel bound to make it plain that the solidarity of interests by which France and this country are united is such that any threat to the vital interests of France from whatever quarter it came, must evoke immediate co-operation of this country." Regarded as Pledge by France.

A cable message from Pari* says that official circles there attach the greatest importance to Mr. Chamberlain's statement. It is felt that it constitutes an unequivocal reply to Italian insinuations that Britain does not support France, and is regarded as the most categorical pledge of automatic military assistance that any British Government has ever given France. It is believed that this is the direct outcome of consultations between M. Daladier and M. Bonnet and Sir Eric Phipps. British Ambassador to Paris. There have been frequent exchanges of pledges through diplomatic channels, but it was considered wise to make the situation very clear in the interests of peace. Mr. Chamberlain's statement has shocked political circles at Rome, according to a cable from the Italian capital. It is suggested that it is tantamount to an announcement of a military alliance as binding as that between Italy and Germany. Official circles do not comment, except to say: "Italy's natural aspirations threaten the" vital interest* of no country." Nevertheless, in a message dated from London, but apparently scmi-offieiall r inspired, the "Giornale d'ltalia" says, "Britain knows Italy means to pursue her aspirations until they are justly realised."