WARNING TO ITALY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 28 January 1939, Page 9

WARNING TO ITALY

STERN WORDS BY FRENCH PREMIER “NOT AN INCH OF TERRITORY WILL BE CEDED” OUTBURST OF PATRIOTIC ENTHUSIASM CONFIDENCE VOTED BY CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES (United Press Electric Telegraph—Copyright) PARIS, 2 7th January. The Prime Minister. M. Daladier, spoke stern words to Italy in the Chamber of Deputies to-day during the debate on foreign affairs. Pie said that France had heard threatening words from Italy in complete calm. She had strength to enable her to receive such insults calmly. “Wherever French interests are concerned,” he said, “France must meet all demands with a categorical No. Not an inch of territory will be ceded. France cannot tolerate any attempt against her territorial integrity, against her African or colonial Empire, or against her free communications, whether maritime or otherwise, between the metropolis and her Empire. (The Deputies rose, cheering thunderously.) M. Daladier continued: “I am well aware of the gravity of the present circumstances when 1 affirm this. Our task tomorrow will be hard and formidable. I ask France to be unanimous in the defence of her material Empire and her ideals in a world in which force plays so large a part.” The Chamber again indulged in an outburst of patriotic enthusiasm. Then ended the long foreign affairs debate with the passing of a vote of confidence in the Government by 360 to 234 votes. After this the following motion was carried by 609 votes to nil, thus emphasising that the whole nation is behind M. Daladier’s refusal of Italian claims: “That the Chamber approves of the Government s declaration and is confident in its vigilance to maintain the integrity of the French Empire and the safety of Imperial routes.”

tion for an international conference, to the idea of which M. Borindt Was by no means hostile, it calls attention to the latter’s warning that one must be aware of being disappointed, and adds that the prospects at the moment of necessary collaboration are not bright. M. Bonnet’s reaffirmation that French and British friendship was never so close as to-day will, says the “Daily Telegraph” be echoed unanimously on both sides of the Channel, for that Entente was founded not only on political sympathies but on identity of vital interests. It is the cornerstone no less of British than French policy. Events during the past year put the Entente to the severest tests and not only revealed, but tempered, its fundamental strength, that the desire for peace in Britain and France is unquestionable. Doubters as to Britain's power to defend it are advised by the “Daily Telegraph” to ponder over Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech. There is no confirmation in London that Signor Mussolini intends to ask for a Four-Power Conference, to which oblique reference was appai’ently made by M. Bonnet that no such intention was revealed in the Anglo-Italian Rome talks. ITALY AND~FRANCE CONTACTS ALMOST CEASE . FURTHER DECLINE IN TRADE (Received 23th January, 9 a.m.) LONDON. 27th January. The Rome correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that contacts between Italy and France have almost ceased to exist. Trade has further declined and the ItaloFrench Association, formed to symbolise friendship, has broken up.