MUTUAL ASSISTANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 151, 23 December 1935, Page 9

MUTUAL ASSISTANCE

THE LEAGUE'S NEXT ■■■N.■'■.■■:■■ ■■■■STEP ;. !;V :

NATIONS PLEDGE SUPPORT

GENEVA, December 21:

The League Council's next step in the international situation may be to consider the practical application of mutual assistance, and it is expected to put on record any replies Britain receives from Mediterranean Powers in respect of forces they are prepared to place at the League's disposal in the event of an attack on a League member.-; '. '■' ■ . >

The past few days have seen a rising tide of opinion among smaller Powers in favour of backing .the League to the limit. As a joint meeting of the. Little Entente and Balkan.Entente affirming loyalty .to . the Covenant indicates, League circles consider*1 that a .special meeting of the Council in January affirming determination to support the Coyenant. .if necessary by' material force, will have a greater moral effect than the imposition of further sanctions.

The "Daily Telegraph's" Paris cor-

respondent says it is reported that Sir Samuel Hoare's inquiry whether Turkey, Yugoslavia, Greece, and Rumania would support the British Navy in the event of an Italian attack wasi made before he met M. Laval at Paris on December 7. It is understood that within 24 hours all four Governments answered the British request in the'affirmative, and pledged their support. It is stated that the necessary arrangements will shortly be negotiated by the general staffs concerned. A similar request was also made to Spain, but the result is not yet known.

Most important among European reactions to Britain's inquiry concerning the extent of support in the Mediterranean is. a message from Constantinople that if Turkey falls, into line it can only beif she is empowered to fortify the Dardanelles, which otherwise would lay the country open to attack.

Official quarters in London disclaim knowledge of a movement for a special meeting of the League Council to discuss mutual defence.