TALKS AT ROME

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 January 1939, Page 7

TALKS AT ROME

“TURNING POINT IN AFFAIRS”

MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S ESTIMATE

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

(Recd. Jan. 19, I. p.m.). LONDON, January 18

The Australian Associated Press says: Mr. Chamberlain told Cabinet that the events of the next few months might reveal his Rome visit was a turning point in European affairs. He proposed to invite Count Ciano on a return visit, after President and Mrs. Lebrun visited London. Mr. Chamberlain announced that he was informing Parliament of Mussolini’s assurance that Italy would respect the Anglo-Italian agreement in its entirety. He added that while the Rome-Ber-lin ties were undoubtedly strong, there did not appear to be any concrete agreement as to future policy, and no possibility of Italy withdrawing her troops from Spain before the end of the war, but there was little likelihood of increased intervention. Lord Halifax stated that at present there was no indication of the Spanish issue causing a crisis in France, although there was an agitation for the removal of M. Bonnet from the Cabinet. His successor would probably be M. Chautemps, whose views were not vitally different from M. Bonnet’s.

RUGBY, January IS

It is assumed that Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax gave a full account of the Rome conversations to to-day’s Cabinet meeting. Lord Halifax was also in the position to inform Cabinet of the views he encountered at Geneva.

As "The Times” says: "Geneva is still the centre at which more personal contacts can bo made in a shorter time than anywhere else.” “The Times” recalls that Lord Halifax made it clear at Geneva the main concern of Britain in relation to the situation in Spain "always has been and is still to supply aid to victims of the conflict, to circumscribe its incidence, and hasten the day when Spain can once more play her proper part in world affairs.”

GOERING TO VISIT ROME.

(Recd. Jan. 19, 1 p.m.). ROME, January 18.

It is reliably stated that Marshal Goering is visiting Rome before the end of January, to exchange views on the military and political consequences of the Spanish war.

HITLER’S HINTS.

LONDON, January 11.

The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says threatening hints from Germany that Hitler will back any action taken by Signor Mussolini if France intervenes on the side of the Spanish Government are not taken seriously in French official circles, since the French Government has no intention of altering its policy of non-intervention in Spain, in spite of the open military support given to General Franco by Mussolini and the loss advertised, but more important, support, given by Hitler. It is emphasised that the French Government is closely following the British policy.

EAST AFRICAN TROOPS.

PARIS, January IS.

The Djibuti correspondent of “L’lntransigeant” reports that Italian reinforcements, mostly Askaris and Arabs, have been arriving at Adagala daily, for the last fortnight. The correspondent adds that six submarines, 10 gunboats, and the cruiser Bari, are moored at Massawa.

FRENCH CABINET’S DECISION.

FRONTIER TO REMAIN CLOSED

(Recd. Jan. 19, 2.15 p.m.). PARIS, January 18

Despite Left Wing clamour, _M. Daladier has definitely decided against opening the Pyrenees frontier for the passage of arms to Spain. M. Bonnet, at a meeting of the Cabinet, upheld the policy of strict nonintervention, quoting Mussolini’s undertaking to Mr. Chamberlain to withdraw all his forces after the war, and respect the status quo in the Mediterranean.

Cabinet approved, though some Ministers did so reluctantly. It was also agreed that the foreign policy must be protection of France’s vital Imperial interests against attack, and the closest everyday collaboration with Britain.

Concerning the foreign affairs debate, it is becoming clear that the vote, which is expected on January 20, will reallv he for or against intervention. It’is hinted the Government will evade the direct issue by promising “to examine the situation with the greatest vigilance.” The Rightist Deputy, Henri Dekerillis, sent a letter to M. Daladier, asking for a secret session of the Chamber. so that the military chiefs could give an assurance, or otherwise, whether it is possible for France alone, or with Britain, to assume the defence of an Empire, already threatened by Italian and German claims.