TOWARDS PEACE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17984, 30 January 1924, Page 9

TOWARDS PEACE.

FEELING IN EUROPE.

BRITAIN, FRANCE. AND BELGIUM.

(CI C.I?LE—KIESS ASSOCIATION COrVRIGHT.) (AUSTP.ALIAK AM) y ■ 7.. OABLK ASSOCIATION.)

(.Received January 29th, 7.15 p.m.)

BRUSSELS, January 2S

3f. Henri Jaspar (Minister for Foreign Affairs) lias returned froih a hurried week-end visit to Paris, where he conferred with M. Poincare and Dr. Bcnes (Premier of Czeclio-Slova-kia).

M. Jaspar reported to Cabinet that France would associate itstelf with Belgium in maintaining the test possible relations with Mr Mac Donald's Government. M. van der Vclde declares that he received personal assurance- that Sir MacDonald favours a more conciliatory attitude towards Belgium than did Lord "Curzon. GENERAL DISCUSSION. MR MACDONALD'S IDEA. (Sydney i'Strs" Service.) PARIS, January SB. Most important diplomatic developments arc expected within a fortnight, following on Mr Macßonald's seniioffieial communication that it is intended to open a general discussion on the whole European situation.

M. Jaspar, Belgium Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrivecl suddenly and had a conference >yith M. Poincare. Political circles believe that Mr Mac Donald's ideas aro those which Mr Lloyd George advanced two years ago, and which France rejected. STIR IN FRANCE. VISIT OF BELGIAN MINISTER. ("TEE times.") LONDON, January 28. The Paris correspondent of ' ''The ■Times'' says that tho sudd|en and unjinnonnced visit of M. Jaspar, Belgian Foreign Minister, and his lpng interview witli M. Poipcare, has caused a flutter in French political dovecotes, giving rise to much speculation in spitiO of thp- official declaration that overmuch importance should not ba attached to the interview, which, it i{s asserted, related chiefly to tho Ruhr.

Tho correspondent declares that it is believed M. Jaspqr also urged tho need for a complete stocktaking of the general political situation in view of the advent of a ne>v Government in Britain. The Belgian Government hag always beep most anxious to restore gpod relations between France and Britain, and even tried to apt as .an intermediary between the two Powers, Mor© importance is attached to the interview, because of the interview, between the Belgian Ambassador in London and Mr Map Donald just before Til. Jaspar's sudden decision to see M. Poincare. There appears to be soitie hope thfit # general gettlement Tyquld be facilitated by the new proposals concerning ijjterrAlljed debts, in - exchange for which France might ba willing to alter her Rqhr policy. oisiciaj circles are (strangely' silefit, but elsewhere there is a tendency to admit that we are on the eye of important developments.NOT A NEW INTERVIEW. PLANS WILL DEVELOP SLOWLY. (BEUIEE's TBLEGEAitS.) LONDON, Januajy 28. i&ggncy learn? thpt Mr Mac Donald was interviewed by "Qpotidien" PFW : office. The British Premier has given 'no inter? Vieiy to the Pre§s sine© ho assumed office. Thjs does not ipiply that the general lines of his policy differ from those fo?esb§dpwed in tho interview, but obviously development must pe a question of time, Questions affecting Russia, Anglpr French relations, and reparations, etG., must be developed very carefully in the most liberal spirit and always with p, yiew to "the Government's policy of restoring Europe and re-establishing universal co-operation. FRENCH COMMENT. (HEtTTEE'S TELEGRAMS.) LONDON, January 28. Commenting on Mr MacDoijald's interview, the Paris "Eclair" fiays: —"Mr Mac Donald' asks for everything -without promising Franco anything." The ''Echo do Paris" says:—"Mr Mac Donald at present is most cautious, hut h$ jnust sooner or later vote in i'avour of methods of reparations very ilifficu/b to reconcile witli the FrancoBelgian policy, and a violent rupture is tnus possible."