DISAPPOINTMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 120, 20 April 1934, Page 8

DISAPPOINTMENT

3.15 P.M. EDITION

GERMANS ON FRENCH NOTE. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received April 20, 1.50 p.m. BERLIN, Afril 19. A semi-official statement describes the French Note as a great disappointment to the supporters of an international understanding. The statement adds:— “France’s real reason for banging the door is that the almost complete Italian British and German agreement compelled 'an early decision. In view of her inability to avoid the consequences of her former consent to German equality', she wants to continue the negotiations at Geneva for years while the disarmed States look on and while she increases her armaments. “Her demand to resume the Geneva negotiations means ‘Back to Versailles and repudiation of German equality.’ Her action has reduced European policy to a heap of ruins, whereas England has done all possible to rescue the idea of disarmament for a convention.” THE ITALIAN VIEWPOINT. Received April 20, 2.5 p.m. ' ROME, April 19. The Italian view is that the French Note more than ever points to Signor Mussolini’s January memorandum as a way out of the impasse. The Duce is open to receive suggestions for modification of the plan if the fundamentals are retained. The French reply is the natural outcome of Britain’s refusal to guarantee armed support in the event of Germany attacking France.