THE ANGLO FRENCH AGREEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12545, 12 April 1904, Page 5

THE ANGLO FRENCH AGREEMENT.

PRESS OPINIONS.

SPEECH BY M. COMBES.

RUSSIA'S ATTITUDE.

By Telegraph.—Press Assoolatlon.—Copyright.

London, April 10. The Times says the Anglo-French agreement is a land-mark in the policy of both nations, and adds that it is a perfectly satisfactory settlement.

Bitter comments are published in Spanish newspapers, which anticipate an agreement entailing Spain's evacuation of Morocco. The German press emphasises Russia's disappointment at the Anglo-French rapprochement, though some newspapers fear a temporary Anglo-Russo-Frencli entente. (Received April 11, 0.53 p.m.) Berlin, April 11. The North German Gazette welcomes the Anglo-French agreement in the interest of peace. The Berlin newspaper Taglicherundschan declares that France has won a great victory, and that the other Powers may well envy her. Other newspapers anticipate a Russian rapprochement towards Britain or Germany.

(Received April 11, 11.7 p.m.) Paris, April 11. M. Combes, the French Premier, has been entertained at a banquet at L&on. He was accorded, an enthusiastic reception. In the course of a speech he said France's love of peace was so real that she continuously increased her arbitration treaties, making them powerful .instruments for the prevention of wars and for the localisation of the present one.

Paris, April 11. M. Declasse, French Minister for Foreign Affairs, in an interview stated that Lord Lansdowne and he, on July 7 last, began to discuss the differences between the two nations, and recognised that they were not sufficiently essential to provoke a quarrel. They there and then prepared the rough draft of the basis of agreement., following the principle that where French interests were undoubtedly superior Britain should yield, and when. British interests were pre-eminent France should yield.

(Received April 11, 11.7 p.m.)

St. Petersburg, April 11.

Russia looked upon the AngloFrench negotiations throughout with an absolutely friendly eye, holding that its success would strengthen France's position by enabling Russia to expcc-t greater benefit from the Republic's friendship now and when peace is concluded with Japan.