EVENTS IN EUROPE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 111, 11 April 1936, Page 10

EVENTS IN EUROPE

BRITAIN’S LIVE INTEREST. (United Press Association —By Electric' Telegraph—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received April 9, 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, April 8. In the Blue Book, the story of the negotiations revealed in the documents is of the constant exercise by the British Government of its good offices with a view to hastening an agreement on the main points of a programme of settlement, and the newspapers comment that it should have the effect of dispelling many misconceptions both at Home and abroad, such as the suggestion that Britain has been inactive in the face of the growing deterioration of international relations in Europe. WORK AT GENEVA.

Geneva messages report that' the meeting of the League’s Committee of Thirteen decided to instruct Senor Madariaga to get in touch with Baron Aloisi with a view to ascertaining if Italy is willing to start peace negotiations at once. It «*so set up a jurists’ committee to study the alleged violations of the anti-gas and other conventions.

The British delegation provided the Secretariat with * full details' of the reports in its possession of the alleged use of poison gas by the Italian forces. The Committee of Thirteen has adjourned till to-morrow afternoon. THE FRENCH PLAN. REGIONAL PACTS. UNDER LEAGUE AEGIS. Received April 9, 1.10 p.m. PARIS, April B.* The French reply to Herr Hitler’s memorandum comprised a communique as a thirteen-page reply, to the German contentions, also a declaration containing the French proposals. The reply affirms equality of rights and respect for international law, and asserts the principle that no nation can attain a hegemony in Europe. It proposes the permanent control and execution .of treaties by a European Commission, and that the extent of the limitation of armaments for each State should be decided by a twothirds majority of the European Commission, or such other organisation as the League Council decides. The reply states that if mutual assistance in the universal framework of the League is at the moment difficult to put into operation quickly and efficaciously, regional accord should be sought. Moreover, even if Europe appears to be too vast to apply collective security by mutual assistance, and disarmament, the task of reorganising regional ententes within the European framework remains. This organisation should be entrusted to a European Commission within the League structure. The associated States, in order to accomplish their duty of mutual assistance, shall specially and permanently keep trained army, naval, and air forces at the disposal of the European Commission or the League Council. ... All treaties at present existing besides those which may. be concluded m future between the European Powers, shall be submitted to the European Commission, which would be able by a two-thirds majority to pronounce them incompatible with a European pact or regional pact. 'ECONOMIC ASPECTS-

The economic section states that partial or -total Customs Unions would substantially improve the economic situation. The necessity for a common reserve of raw materials and territory for expansion for surplus European production should lead to a revision of certain colonial statutes from the viewpoint of equality in economic rights. A special section of the European Commission should consider economic questions as soon as political security is re-established. Nothing in these proposals shall be considered contrary to the League Covenant. Final acceptance pre-sup-poses adherence to the League. The refusal of any State to join the plan shall not prevent other States from accepting it. GERMAN TRENDS.

The reply refers to tlie possibility of Germany raising tho question of. Austria, Danzig, and Memel, the restitution of colonies, and the revision of the. European frontiers. It says Germany should reply clearly about her intentions regarding them. It emphasises that the German attitude toward the prohibition of fortifications in the Rhineland must be a touchstone deciding whether Germany is prepared to admit the principle of collective security. France notes that Germany , replies with suggestions quite insufficient to consolidate the peace of Europe. France fears that Germany will again secede from tlie League if her colonial aspirations are unsatisfied.