Chamberlain to Go to Paris

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 264, 7 November 1938, Page 7

Chamberlain to Go to Paris

Revised French Attitude to Germany COLONIES TO BE DISCUSSED United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph-—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7.5 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 4. It is officially announced that Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax are going to Paris on November 23, where they will remain until November 25, at the invitation of the French Government. The Daily Telegraph ‘says that Mr. Chamberlain not only wishes to let France return his hospitality, but to discuss with French Ministers his appeasement proposals, on which he wants to know the French view before taking definite steps. The Times says that France is as desirous as Britain of reaching an understanding with Italy and Germany. It is believed that the policy pursued by successive French Governments towards Germany since the Versailles Conference will be radically revised, if not ended. The Daily Mail says that Mr. Chamberlain will certajnly discuss colonies when in Paris, and adds that after his visit to Paris, Mr. Chamberlain will probably meet Signor Mussolini. Clearly Mr. Chamberlain is intent on hurrying the discussions leading to a four-Power conference. Morning newspapers, reports the British Official Wireless, agree with the reports of Paris opinion in regard to the visit of Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax to Paris as above all a reaffirmation of Franco-British friendship, but the comment in more responsible organs emphasises the social character of the visit as indicated by the presence of Mrs. Chamberlain and Lady Halifax and eschews the speculative political interpretations which appear in the popular press. The Times’ diplomatic correspondent says that, while the invitation from France was in the first place one or courtesy and not political, it would be absurd to assume there would be no political conversations even if they were only of au informal character, in London it has been clearly realised during the past few weeks that the disposal of the Czechoslovakian crisis and tho signature of the Munich Agreement marked a turning point in the relations of Britain with the rest of Europe and the end of the French alliance witn Czechoslovakia could not fail to render a change even moro decisive for France. Collaboration between Britain and France certainly had not lost in importance. The Daily Telegraph and Morning Post's diplomatic correspondent suggests the visit may be devoted largely to social 'engagements, but the Premier in going to Paris is also adhering to his belief in the value of direct contact with foreign statesmen, and since the closest possible co-opcratiou with France remains an axiom of British foreign policy, this writer expresses the belief Mr. Chamberlain will discuss with the French Ministers his proposals for European appeasement.