PARIS PROPOSALS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1935, Page 5

PARIS PROPOSALS

RECEIVED AT ROME

CONSIDERATION BY MUSSOLINI.

Press Association— By Electrio Telegraph —Copyright).

LONDON, December 11. “The Times” Paris correspondent says: “The head of the Government received the French Ambassador, and later he received the British Ambassador, who each handed Trim a copy of the Paris proposals. The head of the Government declared' to both: that lie appreciates the efforts at collaboration that have been made recently by the Governments, of France and England in respect, to the ltalo-Ab.vssinian conflict, and that: he reserved it to himself’to examine the proposals.'presented.” Thus read 'a formall Italian communique after the visit of M. "Clambrun and Sir Eric Drummond. The latter Ambassador remained at tne Palazzo Venezia for twenty minutes. What passed is unknown, but it is obvious that the handing over of the documents in each case was accompanied by a certain amount of conversation. One point (says the correspondent), has definitely been established. There was no immediate rejection. It is felt this is so much to the good. It is understood that the proposals covered three pages of typescript. Signor Mussolini’s reply is not expected to be known for some days. The Italian official, spokesman states that no Italian delegation is going to Geneva for the re-assembly of the Committee of Eighteen, which may bo regarded as a reminder of the Italian viewpoint that the. talk ofnsanctions is not the most favourable a atmosphere in which to engage in peac e liegotia; tions. ,

MODIFICATION OF JROPOSALS.

RUGBY, December 11. “The Times” says: As the situation now stands,! certain modifications suggested by the British Government, and accepted by the French, have been made in the tentative agreement reached in Paris. These modifications, apparently, ar e concerned mainly to ensure that there will be complete equality as between- the belligerents in considering the proposals, and that -no contingent condition with regard to j the postponement of sanctions is attached th e them. Thai being agreed, v.,the proposed basis for peace negotiations has. now been sent forward, and further developments will depend upon the views which are taken of it.

OPINIONS FROM FRANCE

LONDON, December 12. The Paris correspondent of “The Times”' says: Though French attention is now centred on Rome and on Geneva, there is still an anxious watch on London. Th e strength of British Parliamentary feeling against the proposals, especially has opened French eyes, tempering the general optimism. French critics declare that they had never doubted M. Laval’s determination to buy off Signor Mussolini at any price that the other members of the League could be induced to accept. It,- therefore, is against Britain that they direct their bitterest reproaches for agreeing to ‘monstrous’ „ terms. Britain, it is now assumed, had at last become convinced that Signor Mussolini would not hesitate to take the most drastic action against an oil embargo, and M. Laval, it is understtod, told Sir S. Hoare. that very little French support could be expected in such an event. He was prepared, however, to give an assurance of full support for an oil embargo, and for its consequences provided that a basis of negotiation for a settlement on the terms now accepted w.ere first submitted to, and rejected by Signor Mussolini. Italian acceptance, he contended, would not only make an oil embargo unnecessary, but would justify the immediate aban- { donment of the sanctions altogether.

BRITISH COMMONS VIEW

LONDON, December 12,

Four hack bench Conservatives and two Liberals sponsored a motion i n the House of Commons not to assent to any peace settlement granting to an aggressor greater concessions than could have, been obtained by' peaceful negotiation. The “News-Chronicle” (Liberal), declares : The Government are alarmed at the condemnation of the plan, and are trusting that the Powers will at Geneva reject it.