EUROPEAN PARLEYS

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1937, Page 5

EUROPEAN PARLEYS

FRENCH VIEW

Economic Barriers Disliked

[Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received November 29, 9.50 p.m.) LONDwN, November 29.

The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says: The preoccupation of the French Ministers, like that of the British, is to initiate fruitful co-opera-tion with Germany and Italy, regardless of any differences then respective in regimes, but it is emphasised here that any attempts to dissociate Britain from France are doomed to failure. Moreover, it is stated that, there is no question of either country giving up its existing friendships or its League obligations. The common task, it is held, is to explore all possibilities of collaboration as between the two groups of Powers, without either group sacrificing to the other its essential principles or its vital interests. It follows, therefore, that any readiness on the part of the Western Powers to make any concessions must be accompanied by a willingness on the part of the other Powers to abate economic barriers behind which thej' are to-day entrenching themselves.

Subjects of Discussion

COLONIES, CHINA AND SPAIN

[Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, November 28.

M. Chautemps, French Premier, and M. Delbos, French Foreign Minister, have left Paris for London. They were accompanied by M. Alexis Leger, former Minister to China, and Director of the Foreign Office Asiatic Department. A wide range of international questions will be surveyed in the AngloFrench talks, beginning in London, to-morrow, although no change in the fundamentals of the British or French foreign policy is expected.

It is noted with satisfaction that Berlin fully recognises the desirability of the conversations, and it may be emphasised that, where the talks concern European questions, their purpose will be to examine the possibility of bringing closer the BerlinRome axis, and the special relationship existing between Britain and France—but not at the expense of any other party.

The French Ministers will hear from Lord Halifax his own account of his German visit.

•While the question of colonies is expected to be discussed, it should be borne in mind that this complex question affects countries not represented at the talks, for example, Belgium and three of the Dominions.

Apart altogether from the matters in which Germany is especially interested, there are other important questions upon which the exchange of views will, it is believed, prove valuable. One relates to Spain. Of more serious and immediate importance, however, is the Far Eastern situation, and the threatened interference with the Chinese Customs service at Shanghai. There will probably, therefore, be a disposition at the meeting to recognise that the threat of war in Europe is not immediate, and to try to use that factor to reduce the risk of war elsewhere, and to make progress towards general appeasement.

Britain’s Chief Anxiety

THE FAR EAST. ITALO-GERMAN CO-OPERATION WANTED. (Received November 29, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 29. Commenting on to-day’s AngloFrench talks, “The Times” diplomatic correspondent says: One of the encouraging factors in the present situation is that, just as Britain and France accept, and do not desire to influence, the Berlin-Rome axis, so, on the other side, it is recognised that London and Paris are linked by special relations. The British and French Ministers will most carefully examine the possibilities of establishing better relations between their respective Governments, and those of Berlin and Rome; but it is emphasised that there can be no question of effecting such a rapprochement at the expense of a fifth, or of any other, party. Indeed, no such proposal, whether regarding Austria, Czecho-Slo-vakia, or any other country, has ever been put forward. “It is submitted,” continued the correspondent, “that Germany’s colonial claims will be fully discussed, but it will not be forgotten that other mandatories, namely, Belgium, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, are also concerned as well as Britain and France.

“The same detailed consideration will be given to the complex of An-glo-Italian and Franco-Italian relations. This will, naturally, involve the consideration of the Spanish question, although this issue is now being regarded as less acute as a cause of international discussion. “The British Government is far more concerned with the latest trend of developments in the Far East, which has superseded Spain as its chief focus of anxiety. Difficult and anxious as the European situation is, the (international temperature is judged at London to be lower than it has of late been, and the threat of war cannot now be said to be immediate. At such a moment, it is felt that diplomacy has a chance, of which the British and French Ministers desire to make the best use possible.” GERMANY AND HUNGARY. RENEWAL OF FRIENDSHIP. (Received November 29, 9.15 p.m.) BERLIN, November 29. M. Dedaranyi and M. Dekanya have returned to Budapest from their visit to Berlin. Their visit was marked by a renewed expression of German and Hungarian friendship. French Threat OF WAR ON ITALY. ROME, November 26. In spite of a denial by the French Minister for Marine (M. Campinchi) that he ever said in a speech at Toulon that a war between France and

Italy was not only inevitable, but necessary, the Italian newspapers are aflame with demands for his resignalion.

M. Campinchi is reported to have stated that Corsica must no longer be subject to Italian aggression. A war against /Italy, he said, was inevitable and necessary, and it must end in a French victory. France was determined to defend Corcisa against every aggression, and an offensive would be launched from there, bringing Fascism to its knees.

Corsican Question

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIONS. REMARKS NOT MADE PUBLICLY (Received November 29, 9.50 p.m.) LONLuN, November 29. The Paris correspondent, of "The Times” says: M. Leger, the Secret-ary-General for Foreign Affairs, received Signor Prunas, the Italian Change D’Affaires, at Paris. They discussed the outbursts in Italy concerning M. Campinchi’s speech in reference, to the Corsica and Italy. It is understood that M. Leger stated that the French Government regarded the campaign as a calumny and as exceeding the bounds of decency and reason, particularly in view of official denials that the speech had been made. It is understood (adds the correspondent), that the cause of the trouble was a remark made by M. Campinchi, in a semi-private way, that if Corsica were attacked, France would defend it.