FRANCE AND ITALY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12442, 2 January 1935, Page 5

FRANCE AND ITALY

IMPORTANT AGREEMENT REACHED. SHOULD AFFECT EUROPEAN PEACE. A USTRIA ’SIN DEPENDENCEGUARANTEED. (U.P.A. by Elec Te! Copyright l LONDON,. Dec. 30. The “Observer’s” diplomatic correspondent, in an important, exclusive article, states that although the news cannot be given with full official authority, it became known lastnight that an agreement had been reached in Rome between Signor Mussolini and the French Ambassador, which constituted by far the most- important achievement in European diplomacy for two years. It is likely to make a. profound difference in the prospect of settled peace in Europe.

It is understood that- the actual agreement was not signed last night, because some points of colonial interest have not been settled, but the major issue, the -safeguarding of Austria’s independence by means of an international guarantee, was resolved from a categoric written agreement, of which the text- will lie issued in a few days. The despatches from Rome and Paris, reporting substantial progress towards a Franco-Italian agreement, and tho probability of an early visit to Rome by M. Laval, created an excellent impression in London. Special interest is taken in these negotiations since British diplomacy, as is well known, has for a consider able time been directed to facilitating by oil moans in its power tho achievement of such an agreement as one of the essential factors iu the stabilisation of tho European situation.