EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

Northern Advocate, 31 December 1934, Page 5

EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

GUARANTEE PACT FRANCO-ITALIAN PROPOSALS SAFEGUARDING FRONTIERS. TWO ISSUES IN DOUBT. LUnited Press Association —By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright,] (Received 9 a.m.) LONDON, December 29. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Express’’ states that final proposals for a Franco-Italian agreement have been telegrahed to Rome by the French Foreign Minister, M. Laval. It is suggested that the protocol guaranteeing Austrian independence should be signed by Italy. Yugoslavia, Czecko-Slocakia. Germany and Hungary, as geographical neighbours; also by Franco and Rumania. A second suggestion is that the signatories who, are geographical neighbours should mutually guarantee their frontiers, and a third is that if Gerany and Hungary prefer to reserve their attitude the signatures of Italy, Yugoslavia ar|d Czecko-Slovakia should be secured and the protocol be left open to others. It is stated that Czecko-Slovakia and* Rumania already have endorsed the proposal, and a favourable reply is expected from Yugoslavia. Doubtful points are: “Will Hungary render or suspend her revisionist policy?” and: “Will Italy accept stabilisation of the existing frontiers?” M. LAVAL’S MISSION. FINALISING THE PROTOCAL. BRITAIN’S KEEN INTEREST. (Received 9 a.m.) LONDON, December 29. A message from Paris states that the negotiations in connection with the proposed Franco-Italian pact have so far progressed that the French Foreign Minister, M. Laval, is expected to go to Rome on January 2 in connection with signing of a protocol. The hope is expressed on the Quai d’Orsay that the visit of M. Laval will be possible before the Saar plebiscite. Britain is so interested that the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, who is spending a holiday at Cannes, may cross the frontier to confer with Signor Mussolini;

REPUTED AGREEMENT.

FAR-REACHING EFFECT,

MAJOR PHASE RESOLVED. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, December 30. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Observer,” in an important exclusive article, states that although the news cannot be given full official authority, it became known last night that an agreement was reached at Rome between Signor Mussolini and the French Ambassador, which constituted by far the most important achievement in European diplomacy for the past two years. The agreement is likely to make a profound difference to the prospects of settled peace in Europe.

It is understood that the actual agreement was not signed last night, because some points of colonial interest had not been settled, but the major issue, that of safeguarding Austria’s independence by means of an international guarantee, was resolved upon in the form of a categoric written agreement, of which the text will be issued, in a few days.