PARIS TALKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 29 November 1938, Page 5

PARIS TALKS

STATEMENTS IN HOUSE OF COMMONS EXCHANGE OF VIEWS COMPLETE AGREEMENT ON GENERAL POLICY rßritish Oflicial Wireleasl (Received 29th November, 11.45 a.m.) RUGBY, 28th November. In a House of Commons statement on the Paris talks, Mr Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister, said: “The Foreign Secretary and I were vei'y glad to accept the cordial invitation of the French Government to visit Paris and take advantage of the opportunity of resuming conversations with French Ministers. 1 should like to express our warm appreciation of the very gratifying welcome we received from the French Government and the people of Paris. Views were exchanged on the principal questions in which the two countries have common concern, including matters of national defence, as well as diplomatic action. “We found ourselves in complete agreement on general policy, which in both cases finds its main objective in the preservation and consolidation of peace. As the purpose of the meeting was to exchange views rather than take decisions, I am not in a position to make a more detailed statement on the conversations.” BELLIGERENT RIGHTS No new decision on the granting of belligerent rights to General Franco was reached as a result of the Paris talks. This was made clear by Mr Chamberlain in another statement, and Mr R. A. Butler, Foreign Under-Secre-tary, informed a member who asked what conditions remained to be satisfied before the Non-Intervention Committee’s plan for granting belligerent rights could be put into force, that the plan must first be accepted by General Franco, then substantial progress, as defined by the committee, must be made in the withdrawal of foreign nationals from both sides. Mr Butler also intimated that the secretary of the Non-Intervention Committee had been unable, while at Burgos, to secure any modification of General Franco’s proposal to accept the plan. When asked if any Italian or German troops with war material had arrived in Spain during recent week.s Mr Butler said that such information as had been received would indicate that some assistance had been received from these countries during the last two months. NO DECISIONS TAKEN Asked in the House of Commons whether Britain was, in certain circumstances, committed to send expeditionary forces to France, and whether as a result of his Paris visit there had been any increase in such commitments, Mr Chamberlain replied: “The answer is in the negative.” He also told the Opposition Leader, Mr C. R. Attlee, that no decisions were taken at Paris regarding defence which involved obligations for Britain.