Anglo-French Poct Signing Next Week

Northern Advocate, 1 March 1947, Page 5

Anglo-French Poct Signing Next Week

(Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 28. The Foreign Secretary (Mr Bevin) announced in the House of Commons that he and M. Bidault are signing the Anglo-French Treaty of Alliance at Dunkirk on March 4. Agreement had been reached on the treaty’s terms but a few adjustments were still being made. The text would be laid before the House as soon as possible after the signing. The Dominions had been kept fully informed. “I am sure the House will warmly welcome reaffirmation of the close bonds of friendship between This country and France,” he said. Mr Anthony Eden (Con.) said the Opposition welcomed the alliance.

In Paris the Minister of Information (M. Bourdan) said the treaty would be for 50 years. The Prime Minister (M. Ramadier) said yesterday that negotiations for an Anglo-I-Vench alliance had taken a satisfactory course. RUSSIAN REQUEST

Russia had asked Britain to inform France of the provisions of the Anglo* Russian Treaty of 1942, so that the new treaties between the three countries 1 could be drawn, up on a comparable basis. He hoped the Franco-British pact would be signed in the near future. Negotiations had unfolded methodically and happily, despite some difficulties.

He hinted that accord among Britain, France and Russia would be reached before the Moscow Conference opened. This appeared to have created an atmosphere different from that in which the earlier conferences opened. The London Evening News says Britain proposed a new plan designed to bridge the gap between the British and French proposals for action in the event of German aggression. The plan suggests Anglo-Fieiich consultation if aggression is threatened, instead of the original stipulation for joint action against German aggression.

CHEERS IN PARIS

Wild cheering from the National Assembly greeted M. Bidault's announcement of a 50-year Anglo-French treaty. The 608 members of the Assembly then spontaneously arose to 'their feet and gave M. Bidault a unanimous vote of confidence.

M. Bidault earlier, reviewing the general political situation on the eve of the Moscow Conference, said: “If we can agree on Germany we shall agree on everything, but if we do not agree on Germany then God help mankind.”

FOUR MAIN POINTS Unofficial sources say the four main points of the Anglo-French Pact are: (fl) Britain and Frapce pledge themeselves to decide by common agreement on measures which might prove necessary should Germany initiate any movement threatening either country’s security. (2) Should either country be at war against Germany, the other partner will lend immediate military assistance. , (3) Britain and France will confer with a view to adopting necessary measures should Germany disregard the obligations imposed on her. (4) They will confer on all economic questions of mutual interest.