CAPTAIN EDEN

Evening Star, Issue 22070, 2 July 1935, Page 9

CAPTAIN EDEN

VISITS TO ROME AND PARIS CONVERSATIONS OUTLINED ABYSSINIAN DISPUTE DISCUSSED (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph Copyright RUGBY, July 1. (Received July 2, at noon.). Captain Eden, in reply to a question by Mr Lansbury, made a statement in the House of Commons regarding his recent visits to Rome arid Paris. The objects of the Paris visit, he said, were to give the French Government a full and frank explanation on the subject of the Anglo-German naval agreement and to consider, in consultation with the French Government, ways and means of making progress as quickly as possible with the negotiation of' all matters enumerated in the London communique of February 3. He gave the French Minister an account of the contents of the Anglo-German agreement, and described to him the circumstances in which it was negotiated and the reasons which had led His Majesty’s Government to conclude it.

M. Laval explained with equal frankness the view which the French Government took of this agreement. He also explained his view of its bearing upon various European problems, in the solution of which the two Governments were engaged. It was recognised in the course of conversation that for the settlement of these questions—such, for example, as an air pact, an eastern pact, a Central European pact, and an agreement on land armaments—close collaboration between France and Britain was necessary.

“ These are, however, questions which do not interest France and Britain alone. We are therefore at present seeking, in conjunction with the French Government, a form of collaboration best designed to secure the fulfilment as quickly and completely as possible by all countries of the programme of the London communique.

“At the close of the discussions upon these same,, subjects which ! held subsequently with Signor Mussolini in Rome, we were happy to be able to record agreement as to the possibility of continuing the work for European appeasement in accordance with the guiding principles laid down in the London communique and the Stresa resolution. There is now, therefore, reason to hope that the best line of negotiations may shortly be found. Moreover, I cannot doubt that, although the three Governments may not attach the same importance or ascribe the same urgency to all the various items of the programme, it should be possible to, agree upon a method whereby in free and equal negotiations with other Governments they may unite to contribute \o the solution of these problems. ABYSSINIA'. “ I now turn to the dispute bebetween Italy and Abyssinia, in regard to which I, had conversations with Signor Mussolini. I expressed to Signor Mussolini the grave concern of His Majesty’s Government at the turn which, events were taking between Italy and Abyssinia. '■Our motives are neither egoistic nor dictated by our interests in Africa, but by our membership of the League of Nations. I said that British foreign policy was founded upon the League. His Majesty’s Government could not, therefore, remain indifferent to events which might profoundly affect the League’s future upon this issue. •Public opinion in this country felt very strongly that it was only through collective security that in our judgment peace could be preserved and only through the League that Britain could play her full part in Europe. It was for this reason that His Majesty’s Government had been anxiously studying whether there was any constructive contribution whiph it could make in order to promote a solution. I then described to Signor Mussolini the kind of contribution which His Majesty’s Government had in mind, and which I was authorised to make to him as a tentative suggestion. This suggestion was, broadly speaking, as follows: —To obtain a final settlement of the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia, His Majesty’s Government would be prepared to offer to Abyssinia a strip of territory in British Somaliland, giving Abyssinia access to the sea. This proposal was intended to> facilitate such territorial and economic concession by Abyssinia to Italy as might have been Involved in an agreed settlement. His Majesty’s Government would ask for no concession in return for this arrangement, save grazing rights for its tribes in such territory as might be ceded to Italy. This suggestion was not lightly made and only the gravity of the situation could justify the cession of British territory without an equivalent return. I much regret that this suggestion did not commend itself to Signor Mussolini, who was unable to accept it as a basis for a solution of the dispute. On my return to Paris I gave M. Laval an account of what had passed with Signor Mussolini.” Replying to a supplementary question, Sir Samuel Hoare (Foreign Minister) said he hoped to give further information later. The Government regarded the issues as very urgent, and had them under special and constant consideration. ANGLO-GERMAN AGREEMENT. Replying to a question on the juridical position of the Anglo-German naval 'agreement, Sir Samuel Hoare (Foreign Minister) said it in no way affected the rights, whether arising from Part V. of the Treaty of Versailles or otherwise, of any country not a party to the agreement, and ih no way affected the rights of the United- Kingdom arising under Part V. in respect ,to any matter not directly Covered by the agreement. The agreement would be registered with the League in duo course.