RAPPROCHEMENT NOT IN SIGHT

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21639, 25 November 1935, Page 11

RAPPROCHEMENT NOT IN SIGHT

* FRENCH AND GERMAN DISCUSSIONS LITTLE REAL PROGRESS SEEN (Received November 24, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says general opinion does not exaggerate optimism about the French and German conversations. Well-informed circles believe that little real progress was made. German objections to the pact between France and Russia are not diminished, and the French similarly mistrust the eastern pacts. Little value is attached to any talk of agreement regarding land armaments, especially by the French General Staff, because of the difficulty of effective control. Moreover, M. ' Francois-Poncet (Ambassador to Berlin) was not able to hold out hope of an early German return to the league, pending the settlement of the Italian dispute. A Berlin message says inspired comment suggests that the overcoming of antagonism between France and Germany is still very difficult, but the communique issued after Herr Hitler received the French Ambassador on Friday was a useful step. It is believed that the present time, with international and domestic preoccupations, is not propitious for the resumption of direct relations between France and Germany. The Germans have been informed that in spite of occasional divergences between France and Britain, a policy founded on a fundamental rift between them would be useless.—"The Times" cable.