GUARANTEES FROM FRANCE ALSO

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 170, 15 April 1939, Page 11

GUARANTEES FROM FRANCE ALSO

Entente With Britain Never Closer CO-OPERATION FOR PEACE By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. PARIS, April 13. The Prime Minister, M. Daladier, today gave to Greece and Rumania guarantees similar to those given by the British Government. He declared that the object was to organize the necessary collaboration of all nations which did not wish to threaten the vital interests of any people who did not refuse loyally to examine actual problems. Fie added: “The close and profound agreement between Britain and France has never been stronger. France and Poland guarantee each other immediately and directly against all threats affecting their vital interests.” M. Daladier continued: “We have taken action to strengthen our defences and our ties of solidarity with those who are determined to oppose aggression. We have done this without verbal demonstrations and vain provocation. “Our action may be more effective as there is no need for it to be accompanied by either speeches or threats. We have taken military measures as a guarantee against surprises against the frontiers of France or our Empire.”

STATEMENT BY LORD HALIFAX Government Fully Aware Of Gravity Of Decisions (Received April 14, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April'-13. Lord Halifax’s statement in the House of Lords covered the same ground as Mr. Chamberlain’s and was in similar terms, but after the announcement of the new assurances to Greece and Rumania, Lord Halifax added: “The Government is fully aware of the gravity of the decisions recorded. but it has taken this course after full reflection and consideration, in the belief that as things stand today a perfectly clear declaration of its attitude in certain events, from which in no case can Britain properly stand aside, would render those events less likely.” In the course of the debate which followed Lord Halifax’s statement, the Leader of the Opposition, Lord Snell, expressed approval of the assurances given to Greece and Rumania. „ Referring to the continuance of the Anglo-Italian Agreement, he said he did not like to assume that Britain was buying Italy from Spain by making no noise about the Albanian situation. The key seemed to be the peace declaration by Britain, France, and the Soviet, and their intention to resist aggression, which would secure the goodwill of the United States and give new hope to small nations. > Other speakers supported the Government’s action in urging other Powers to mobilize their industry, wealth, and man-power. Difficulties To Be Met. Replying to the debate, Lord Halifax took up two points. He said that the assurances received from Italy regarding the withdrawal of Italian forces from Spain covered the case of aeroplanes in the Balearic Islands. He also said that he fully recognized the importance of what had been said in the course of the debate on the subject of Russia. There were real difficulties —difficulties not- of British making—whiejj they had to meet in this connexion, but it would not be Britain fault if they were not overcome. He had during this anxious week done his best to keep M. Maisky, the Soviet Ambessador, closely informed regarding al! aspects of the situation as it was seen from London. Certainly nothing was further from the thought of the Government than that it should put illogical difficulties in the way of realizing its determination to bring together all nations' which might be found on the side of .respect for international law.

LAST-MINUTE PEACE CONFERENCE Roman Catholics Appeal To The Pope LONDON, April 13. The "Daily Herald” publishes an appeal by the Roman Catholic laity in all parts of the world urging lhe bishops t 0 approach the Governments for a lastminute peace conference. The appeal is being sent to the Pope, to the editors of Catholic journals all over the world, and also to prominent people of all faiths. This is the first occasion in history that an attempt has been made by the laity to rouse Catholic opinion in order to enforce the Church’s teaching concerning peace and war. The' 'Daily Herald” rejects the idea of a pacilict solution, declaring that lioth sides must be prepared to make sacrifices in order to end an impasse, but says that if one side will not listen to reason there are adequate moral grounds for resistance against an attempt to dominate the world by force. NAZIS ARRESTED IN POLAND WARSAW, April 13. It is officially stated that 20 German Nazis were arrested in different places in Western Poland on charges of subversive activities. I’he police also arrested several members, including three women, of a secret, illegal German organization.