FRENCH RELATIONS WITH GERMANY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21992, 16 January 1937, Page 13

FRENCH RELATIONS WITH GERMANY

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT AWAITED LONDON, January 14. It is reported from Paris that the French Prime Minister (M. Leon Blum) will make an important announcement in a speech at Lyons on January 24, to the effect that economic negotiations will be opened with Germany in the near future, without political conditions. It is regognised, however, that much depends on General Goering's talks with Signor Mussolini, who is expected to clarify the implications of the Anglo-Italian agreement.

CHANGE OF POLICY DENIED

REASONABLE CONCESSIONS ONLY

(Received January 16, 1 a.m.)

LONDON, January 15. The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says that in spite of persistent reports crediting the Prime Minister of France (M. Leon Blum) with the intention of offering Germany large-scale economic negotiations without preliminary conditions, there is no evidence whatever of any change in French policy towards Germany. The French Government earnestly desires a general settlement with Germany, for which it is willing to go to the limit of reasonable concession, but it is utterly opposed to piecemeal and unilateral concession, holding that until the whole trend of German policy—beginning with Spam and ending with piled-up armaments —is fundamentally changed, no good, and probably much harm, would be done by stretching out a helping hand.