PHASES OF PROGRESS

Evening Post, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 9

PHASES OF PROGRESS

DISCUSSIONS PROLONGED

SURMISE OF PROCEEDINGS

LONDON, February 3. The conversations between British Ministers and the visiting French Ministers, M. Flandin, Premier, and M. Laval, Foreign Minister, which commenced on Friday and were continued on Saturday, were resumed at 9.40 p.m. and broke up at 11.45. Sir John Simon said:—"We shall have to sit again tomorrow." It is learned that the discussions will resume at 4.30 p.m. M. Laval 'has postponed his departure until Monday. The French Ministers remained for more than an hour, engaged, in ,telephone conversations, also talking with French journalists. It is learned from an authoritative source that the conversations proceeded satisfactorily and agreement was virtually reached or will be concluded today, after which a communique will be issued. In the meantime it' is essential to communicate with other Governments. It is .stated from well-informed French sources that proposals were drawn up for an air convention between England and France, and a substantial measure of agreement was reached on' this question. Details remain to be worked; out by experts of both countries. J It is also suggested the communique will incorporate a proposal for the cancellation of the military clauses of the ;Versailles Treaty, with the exception of'the demilitarisation of the left bank of the Rhine. . GENERAL ATMOSPHERE. The general atmosphere among 'the French representatives appeared to be one, of satisfaction.', It is emphasised that no formal pact has been prepared^ "But," said a French authority, "we realised a high measure of agreement." The Havas .News Agency states in Paris that agreement is assured on the lines of a convention limiting armaments ■ arid replacing ,' the ' military clauses of the Versailles Treaty. The parties aim at the completion of the Danubian and Eastern pacts, Germany's return to the .League, and a defensive air agreement to which Germany, Belgium, and Italy will be asked to adhere. This, will retam validity if Germany refuses, to participate. "Everything is going well, but we have not finished," said Sir John Simon, Foreign Secretary, when leaving No. 10 Downing Street, at 8 p.m. after the afternoon conversations, which lasted for five hours. ' The.French Ministers hurried out to dine before the resumption at 9.30. The surprise of Saturday was the sudden summoning of Cabinet, any unusual event on Saturdays, after the mof-ning's negotiations which were informally carried on till lunch time. The Cabinet meeting lasted 15 minutes. Members are reported to have been shown a secret dossier prepared by the French General Staff scheduling German- military forces.

The continuance of the negotiations after dinner necessitated M. Flandin postponing his visit to Sir Gomer Berry at Farnham, where Mr. Neville Chamberlain,' Chancellor of the Exchequer, is also a guest. M. Flandin is going to Farnham tomorrow. It is expected that this is to discuss financial affairs with Mr. Chamberlain.

M. Laval visited Mr. Arthur Henderson, chairman of the Disarmament Conference, and discussed the continuance of the Disarmament Bureau's work.