FRANCE PLEASED

Northern Advocate, 24 October 1935, Page 7

FRANCE PLEASED

ITALIANS IMPRESSED SIR S. HOARE’S SPEECH. PEACE NEGOTIATION RUMOURS, IVnited Press Association.-By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.! LONDON, October 23.

The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech pleased French official circles, especially his definite indication that military sanctions are out of the question, to which the greatest importance is attached. “L’Echo de Paris” says: “We now know that Britain, will not only act collectively, but what will happen if economic sanctions prove ineffective, and no accord is concluded.” The correspondent of “The Times” says the speech evoked considerable comment in political and diplomatic circles there, especially Sir Samuel’s statement that there will be no military sanctions. This, it is declared, will do more than .anything else to dispel the war clouds which are beginning to gather over Europe. Italians also are greatly impressed with Sir Samuel’s direct appeal to Signor Mussolini. They see in it a confirmation that negotiations between Britain and Italy are going on.

The correspondent says tentative Abyssinian peace conversations are admittedly progressing in London, Paris and Rome, but it is emphasised that it will be difficult to reconcile Italy’s readiness to re-open the discussion on the basis of tripartite treaty of 1906 and the Anglo-Italian ■ agreement of 1925, with' the British insistence that any settlement must be negotiated within the. framework of the League. Although this difficulty apparently is not regarded as insuperable, a formula, it is suggested, might be found whereby such discussions might be conducted with the consent of Geneva, on a definite understanding that the results of .the discussions should come before the League for approval. Quarters closely in touch with the Vatican declare th%t the Pope is quietly but firmly exercising his influence in favour of a settlement by compromise.

Several French newspapers attribute what is described as Britain’s change of policy to the French which, well-informed people declare, gave only most restricted promises to sup-; port Britain in the Mediterranean, and did not offer to allow Britain tp use Toulon or Bizerta, which is implied as an unwillingness to support • a blockade. The Note emphasised that France would give Britain assistance, in the event of attack, only after such sanctions were decided by the League Abyssinians were most disappointed, as they hoped Britain would devise semi-military sanctions. They consider economic sanctions will prove ineffective.