NEGOTIATIONS FOR PACT

Evening Star, Issue 21821, 10 September 1934, Page 12

NEGOTIATIONS FOR PACT

FRANCE AND ITALY OUTCOME UNCERTAIN Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 7. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Rome correspondent says: “While negotiations for a Franco-Italian pact are only at the preliminary stage, it is impossible to hazard the_ outcome. It is certain that Italy is animated by a sincere desire to reach an understanding. The movement away from Germany to France has been so rapid since Dr Dollfuss’s assassination that Italian-German relations have never been worse since the war, and Franco-Italian relations were never better.” EXAGGERATED REPORTS LONDON, September 9. (Received September 10, at 9 a.m.) The conversations at Rome between Signor Mussolini and the French Ambassador, Count De Chambrun, has given rise to exaggerated reports that an understanding has been reached with suggestions for an iron ring round Germany. The facts are that conversations are proceeding in a friendly atmosphere as a preliminary to a visit by M. Barthou (Foreign Slinister) to Rome in October. It is understood that the - subjects_ that are being discussed include the Libyan frontier, the status of Italians in Tunis, and naval parity. The idea _of a military alliance, which would include the Little Entente, is completely discredited. The ‘ Observer ’ comments that Germany is indeed encircled, but the circle was drawn in Berlin, not outside, and Germany can at any moment break the circle bv withdrawing her notice of secessio'i "—n + be League. It is mischici. m;a unnecessary to talk of an iron ring.