PEACE MOVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21999, 4 January 1935, Page 9

PEACE MOVE

FRANCE AND ITALY

ROME CONVERSATIONS

VISIT BY M. LAVAL

OPTIMISM AROUSED

SIGNIFICANT EVENT

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 3. 9.5 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 1 A message frnm Paris states that the French Foreign Minister, M. Laval, is to go to Rome to-morrow. A communique states that at the invitation of the Italian Government. M. Laval will have important discussions about the general policy of France and Italy. The conversations have been proceeding for some time through diplomatic channels. The negotiations between France and Italy for sponsoring a multilateral pact guaranteeing the integrity of Austria have been actively continued. The news of, M. Laval's projected tisit to Home has been received in London with special satisfaction, as it has been taken as indicating the probability of a successful outcome to the negotiations, in which the British Government has been taking an active interest. European questions under discussion between Paris and Pome formed the subject of a conversation between the British Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, and the French Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary during Sir John's brief stay in Paris on his way from London to the Riviera. The Foreign Secretary has kept in close touch with the French and Italian Governments since then. . Writers of editorial articles in the English press state that M. Laval's visit to Rome is even more significant and more important than the contents of the agreement which possibly will he reached. It is the first visit to Italy hv a French Foreign Minister for 10 years. Paris newspapers also rejoice at M. Laval's visit. Le Ptitit Parisien says: " We cannot congratulate ourselves too heartily on the result which, while keeping our alliances intact, opens such a favourable prospect for new friendships." I*e Matin sees in the visit vast hope of peace in Central Europe. It is admitted, however, that difficulties may lie ahead.

" Long; rivalries and suspicions cannot be effaced in a few days," says Le Journal. " The xuiderstanding which is developing is only the beginning. Nevertheless, this paper is most optimistic about a successful outcome of the visit.