MR. EDEN AT ROME

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 230, 26 June 1935, Page 9

MR. EDEN AT ROME

Long Conversations With Mussolini ANGLO-GERMAN PACT Projects For Aerial Accord Discussed (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, June 2-±. At Rome to-day Mr. Anthony Eden, Minister for League of Nations Affairs, had long conversations this morning and again this afternoon, each of two hours’ duration, with Signor Mussolini. They lunched together in the interval. Mr. Eden was accompanied by the British Ambassador at Rome, Sir Erie Drummond. A communique issued this evening stated that they discussed the AngloGerman naval pact and projects for an aerial accord and other questions which formed part of the Anglo-French declaration of February 3. The conversation will be continued to-morrow Mr. Eden expects to leave Rome for Paris either on Tuesday night or on Wednesday morning. He will see the French Premier, M. Laval, again before returning to London.

1 EXTENSION SOUGHT

Britain and Naval Pact MERCHANT FLEET SAFETY London, June 24. In order to establish the Empire’s marine security, the British authorities are seeking undertakings from Germany in" connection with the naval agreement, including, first, that German submarines shall not attack British merchantmen; and, secondly, that British vessels in distant seas shall be immune against attack by the German navy. f ,

These proposals were submitted to Herr von Ribbentrop, head of the German delegation, who informed the British that he could not give undertakings pending consideration with his Government. • The Germans, however, intimated their willingness to abide by any international . naval agreements.

POLICY OF BRITAIN

February Declaration (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, June 24. In the House of Commons to-day the Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, said that the Anglo-French declaration of February 3 still represented the policy of the British Government. The declaration referred to stated that particular note had been taken of the,, important part played by the League of ’ Nations in recent settlements of certain international problems, and that the successful results were welcomed as evidence of the conciliatory spirit of all Governments taking part in those settlements. The participants (Britain and France) declared their determination to pursue, both as regards the problems of their own countries and of the League, policies guided by the same methods of conciliation and co-operation. Hope was expressed that the encouraging progress achieved might be continued by means of the direct and effective co-operation of Germany, and the communique concluded: “The British and French Ministers earnestly desire that all countries concerned should appreciate that the object of this proposal is to reinforce peace—the sole aim pursued by the two Governments. The Governments of France and of the United Kingdom declare themselves ready to resume their consultations without delay after having received replies of other interested Powers.”