PACT TO END

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 10, 11 July 1936, Page 9

PACT TO END

BRITAIN & FRANCE

AID IN MEDITERRANEAN

PARIS GIVES NOTICE

SEQUEL TO ENDING OF

SANCTIONS '

United Press Association—By Electric Tele.

graph—Copyright. (Received July 11, 11 a.m.)

LONDON, July 10. A message from Paris states that the French Government has informed the British Embassy that the mutual assistance agreement' concerning the Mediterranean will terminate on July The French Government is also reported to have informed Italy that her obligations of mutual assistance to Britain in the Mediterranean are no longer operative in view of the raising of sanctions. OTHER POWERS TOO? It is pointed out. at Geneva that the French withdrawal is based on the understanding that when sanctions were abolished contingent precautions would also disappear, otherwise it would be tantamount to an anti-Italian coalition. It is believed that other Mediterranean Powers will follow France's example, as Mr. Eden's declaration that the mutual assistance .assurances would provisionally be maintained was not welcomed by Yugoslavia, Greece, and Turkey, who felt that they should have been consulted previously. The "Daily Mail's" . political correspondent understands that the early withdrawal of the British fleet from the Mediterranean -was one of the conditions on which Sir Samuel Hoare accepted Mr. Baldwin's invitation .to rejoin Cabinet. He regards this as a method by which Britain may seek closer Italian co-operation in European affairs. NO HIDDEN SIGNIFICANCE. The diplomatic correspondent of 'The Times" emphasises that yesterday's report of the Admiralty's intention to restore normal conditions in the Mediterranean Fleet as soon as possible has been given greater prominence than it deserved. The correspondent adds that there is no, hidden political significance in the impending movements of the Mediterranean Fleet. They are not related to , toe negotia-' tions now progressing at Montreux. Of far greater lasting importance is Mr. Eden's pledge of June 18 on behalf of the Government that, in the light of recent experience, Britain would maintain permanently in the Mediterranean a defensive position stronger than existed before the Italo-Abyssinian dispute began. The French Government gave the British Government assurances of the fullest co-operation in defence shortly after the resignation of Sir Samuel Hoare as Foreign Secretary. "TheTimes" announced on January 15 last that "every possible preparation for an emergency had been completed" and that the British Admiralty was aware of what the French dispositions in such an emergency would be. "The Times" then denied statements that only limited support would be available from France in the event of Britain suffering attack because of the policy of sanctions. ' *