ANGLO-FRENCH TALKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 May 1938, Page 7

ANGLO-FRENCH TALKS

MILITARY CO-OPERATION " 7 DEFENDING INTERESTS [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS,] RUGBY, April 29. As a result of the very frank and full discussion which took place it was once again recognised' that ■ France and Britain are bound together by a close community of interests and the French and British Ministers agreed that it was therefore of the highest importance in the present circumstances that the two Governments should continue and develop a policy of consultation, and collaboration in defence, not only of their common interests, but also of those ideals of national and international life which unite the two countries. A question which loomed unnecessarily large in some press comments on the Anglo-French meeting, and on which Ministers of the two Governments had no difficulty in recording agreement, is the question of staff contacts. At the time of the arrangement by which these contacts were establishedr'in 1936 it was l , made .clear from the British side, that they could not, and did not, constitute any new oblgations or commitments, and doubtless the British Ministers thought it proper to make this point again. Simple and straightforward as the question vs-y-ps the communique shows —therpfis a danger of its being complicated’ by ill-informed commentary, and it is learned that for this reason Lord Halifax thought it desirable to see both the' German and Italian I diplomatic representatives in London to make the position perfectly clear. Central Europe, and, in particular, the problems facing Czechoslovakia, were the main subject of to-day’s conversations. The French have precise treaty obligations about Czechoslovakia and the position and interests of Britain in this same respect were described by Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons on March 14. The British Ministers are understood to have again insisted that, while anxious and willing when the occasion required to lend the full influence of the British Government on the side of -peaces they could not assume any further. commitments than those in’,;Mr Chamberlain’s statement. ’ More particularly they undertook to explore the possibility of exerting British influence in all quarters where it could be usefully exerted towards discovering the elements of an agreement on the Sudeten question.

NO MILITARY ALLIANCE. • , LONDON, April 29. Exaggerated reports in certain quarters concerning a so-called military alliance , have prompted, the Foreign Minister (Lord Halifax) to discuss the matter with the Italian Ambassador and the counsellor of the German Embassy, informing- them that the Anglo-French decisions were ■merely a continuance of the 19?,6 consultations. 14 •.' L. . FRANCE AND ITALY..- ■ ROME, 'April '3o.' After attending the wedding of King Zog of Albania, to Countess Apponyi, Count Ciauo, has returned to Romo from Tirana. >■. He ;has unexpectedly had . an hour’s talk with the French Minister,;- M. Blondel. It is understood that Italian-' French discussions have been begun, and are proceeding satisfactorily. •* GERMANY AND ITALY (Recd. May 2, Noon). "...— LONDON, May 1. 1 Madame Tabouis, writing in the “Sunday Referee,’" says that Hitler offered Mussolini a military alliance, which Mussolini will no longer want, in view of the Anglo-Italian agreement. The “Sunday Times’s” Berlin correspondent says: An inspired communique states that no new treaties or agreements are likely to be negotiated during Hitler’s visit to Rome. Germany has no intention of concluding a military pact, as a reply to the Anglo-French arrangements. THE POPE’S JOURNEY. VATICAN CITY, May 1. The Pope has gone to his Summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.' His departure is regarded as significant, as it suggests that he will not grant an audience to Herr Hjtier.