EUROPEAN PEACE STRENGTHENED

Northern Advocate, 6 February 1936, Page 5

EUROPEAN PEACE STRENGTHENED

Kings And Princes Parley

BALKAN PEACE TALKS WERE NOT SO SUCCESSFUL

[United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright .] (Received 10.30 a.m.) PARIS, February 5,

OFFICIAL CIRCLES CONSIDER y EUROPEAN COLLECTIVE SECURITY TO BE STRENGTHENED AS A RESULT OF THE CONVERSATIONS OP' KINGS AND STATESMEN. WHO “TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY OF PAYING THEIR RESPECTS TO THE 1 FRENCH GOVERNMENT” ON THEIR WAY BACK .FROM THE LATE KING GEORGE’S FUNERAL.

The talks were brought to a climax with a meeting between the French Foreign Minister, M. Flandin, and the

King Edward’s Influence

Nazis Apprehensive.

AUSTRIAN PLEDGE REGARDING HAPSBURG RESTORATION

Austrian Vice-Chancellor, Prince von Starhemberg, who is reported to have given assurances that Austria was ready to sign agreements with the Little Entente stipulating that no attempt would be made to restore the Hapsburgs to the Throne without the good will of Austrian neighbours.

M. Flandin was thus able, during a subsequent conversation with the Regent of Yugo-slavia, Prince Paul, to allay country’s suspicions regarding a Hapsburg coup, which, the Regent declared, was not acceptable to his countrymen.

A member of the household of the Archduke Otto, Pretender to the Austrian Throne, stated that he would return to Austria when freely invited, and then only with the full approval of the Gre'at Powers. He would do nothing to' interfere with Austria’s future prosperity and peace.

The discussions on the Balkan Pact were not so successful. Prince von Starhemberg indicated that Austria still attached value to Italian support, although she hoped to count on the Little Entente in a real emergency. King Boris, of Bulgaria, plainly told M. Flandin that his country was unable to join the Balkan Pact, at the cost of abandoning its territorial claims* in Yugo-slavia. King Boris, however, emphatically supported the principles of collective security within the framework of the League of Nations.

King Carol, of Rumania, was equally anxious that the Powers’ obligations under Article XVI. of the League Covenant should be precisely understood and respected. King Carol told the lewspapers that he was certain that he visit had resulted in a stronger B’ranco-Rumanian friendship.

“The conversations,“ he said, “between King Boris,' Prince Paul and myself helped the good relations of the Balkan Powers. I feel that the wide experience of King Edward VIII. will help the cause of p e ace in Europe.’*

Germany is closely following the Paris diplomatic discussions,, and does not conceal her belief that whatever is done without her is done against her. The early fears of the encirclement of Germany are reviving, and the Wilhelmstrasse especially is apprehensive of the development of the negotiations between Britain, France and Russia, as Herr Hitler’s policy has long been to obtain British friendship, or at least her neutrality, in order to secure a free hand to deal with France and expand in Southern and Eastern Europe.

The “Frankfurter Zeitung,” in an inspired article, declares that “Britain is for us the door into the world. {Jnfortunately differences between France and Britain have not brought Germany closer to Britain, partly owing to certain aspects of Nazi-ism, and partly from fear of future German action. That distrust must be removed.”

The article, however, goes on. to insist on treaty revision, especially in respect of colonies, as Germany has never been satisfied with access to other people’s raw materials. The Italian reaction to the Paris talks is fear lest Central European settlements are reached without her participation.