PARIS TALKS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 113, 6 February 1936, Page 9

PARIS TALKS

Collective Security Strengthened

AUSTRIAN ASSURANCE

Bulgaria Declines to Join

Balkan Pact

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received February 6. 1.50 a.m.)

Paris, February 5.

Official circles consider that European collective security has been strengthened as the result of conversations of kings and statesmen- who "took the opportunity of paying their respects to the French Government” on their way back from King George’s funeral.

The climax to the talks .was a meeting between M. Flandin, French Premier, and Prince Starhemberg, ViceChancellor of Austria, who is reported to have given assurances that Austria is ready' to sign agreements with the Little Entente stipulating that no attempt will be made to restore the Hapsburgs without the good will of Austria’s neighbours. M. Flandin was thus’able, in a subsequent conversation with Prince Paul, to allay Yugoslavian suspicions concerning a Hapsburg coup, which Prince Paul reiterated would not be acceptable to his countrymen. A member of the Archduke Otto’s household slated the archduke would return to Austria only when freely invited and then only with the full approval of the great Powers, and would do nothing to interfere with Austria’s future prosperity. „ | Peace discussions on the Balkan Pact were not so successful. Prince Starhemberg indicated that Austria still attached value to Italian support, though it hoped to count on the Little Entente in a real emergency. King Boris of Bulgaria plainly told M. Flandin that Bulgaria was unable to join the Balkan Pact at the cost of abandoning territorial claims .in Yugoslavia. King Boris, however, emphatically supported the principle of collective security within the framework of the League. Roumania is equally anxious that the powers and obligations of Article Sixteen should be precisely understood and respected. King Carol told newspapers : “I am certain that my visit has resulted in stronger FrancoRumanian friendship. The conversations of King Boris, Prince' Paul and myself have helped the good, relations of Balkan Powers. I feel that King Edward’s wide experience will help thecause of peace in Europe.” f