PEACE EFFORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22202, 31 August 1935, Page 13

PEACE EFFORTS

FRANCE AND BRITAIN M. LAVAL'S COLLEAGUES GENEVA OBLIGATIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 30, 5,5 p.m.) LONDON. Aug. SO It is understood that the Foreign Odice now is fully acquainted with the Dominions' views as far as an opinion can be expressed upon the outline of the British attitude on the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia. This cannot be drawn up in detail before the meeting of the League Council at Geneva. Mr. Anthony Eden and M. Laval will consult, either in Paris on September 2, or in Geneva on September 3, in furtherance of their collective peace efforts in regard to which Whitehall notes a recent closer understanding. Official circles attach significance to tho fact that MM. Herriot and Paul Boncoiir are to accompany M. Laval to Geneva. The News Chronicle's Paris correspondent says it is reported that the majority of the members of the French Cabinet favour League action if the need arises. M. Herriot declared: " Everybody wants peace and nobody wants sanctions, but if conciliatory methods fail it will be impossible for a Government of which 1 am a member to forsake the League." Radical Ministers especially argue that if France refuses to unite with Britain in support of the Covenant of tho League, how could France expedt British support in tho future, if Herr Hitler, following Signor Mussolini's precedent, decided to occupy Austria 1 They deprecate prejudging tho Italian case, or hasty action, but insist that if and when all else fails the League must be upheld, whatever the consequences.