ANGLO-FRENCH TALKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 28 November 1938, Page 7

ANGLO-FRENCH TALKS

DISCUSSION ON DEFENCE CO-ORDINATION OF EFFORTS COMMENT BY LONDON PRESS I British Official Wireless] RUGBY, 26th November. “The Times” and the “Daily Telegraph and Morning Post” comment on the talks in Paris from which the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain, and the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, returned on Saturday. After referring to the unmistakable warmth and sincerity of exchanges between the British and French Ministers, “The Times,” in a leading article, turns its attention to the discussion on defence, and observes: "There is no need to take very seriously the crop of rumours to which the talks on defence have given rise, but it is significant that they will be followed by the visit next week of the Air Minister, Sir Kingsley Wood, who will confer with the French Air Minister, M. Lachambre, on aircraft production! “It is in the air that the two countries will be able, in case of need, to render each other most useful assistance, and it is clearly desirable that the two Governments should arrange to coordinate their efforts as closely as possible, There can be no effective common policy unless the two countries are sufficiently strong to ensure respect for their views and their common interests.”

The “Daily Telegraph” observes that the visit was in the first place a demonstration of the undiminished validity of the Anglo-French entente and of the determination of the two Governments loyally to collaborate in finding a solution for international problems. The final function in Paris was a dinner given in honour of Mr Chamberlain by Sir Eric Phipps at the British Embassy, the guests including the French Premier and Foreign Minister.