USEFUL PURPOSE SERVED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 133, 2 December 1937, Page 11

USEFUL PURPOSE SERVED

THE RECENT TALKS

PRESS SATISFACTION

LONDON, December 1. All sections of the British and French Press appear to be satisfied that the conversations betwee.n Britain and France and Britain and Germany have served a useful purpose. The British Government's intention to proceed by easy stages is generally approved. The diplomatic correspondent of "The Times" declares that there is a new opportunity for diplomacy to achieve fruitful work. Much needs to be done in preliminary inquiry into the colonial question, on which Britain and France will embark immediately, -with due provision consultation with South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Belgium. Meanwhile, Britain.and 'France agree that the question cannot be considered in' isolation, meaning that it is linked with future safeguards of the peace of Europe, such as ah arms agreement.

French observers point out that the references to Lord Halifax's visit are phrased with special care to present exaggerated hopes of concrete results in the immediate future: "; .

■ "Pertinax," in ■the "Echo de Paris," says: "The possibilities of any separate Anglo-German entente ; .are now removed by , the explicit assurances which Mr. Chamberlain gave to M. Chautemps. The English have little inclination to give up. any of their colonial territory. They will give results only if a general settlement appears possible." .