BRITISH CONVERSATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22260, 7 November 1935, Page 13

BRITISH CONVERSATION

SUMMONING OF CABINET '( TROOPS AND NAVAL UNITS POSSIBILITIES OF WITHDRAWAL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 6, 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 6 As the sequel to a meeting in Rome between the British Ambassador, Sir Eric Drummond, and Signor Mussolini, the British Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, hurriedly summoned and conferred with the Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Bolton Eyres-Monsell, the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Philip CunlifFe-Lister, and other members of the Cabinet, also defence officials. The Daily Mail's diplomatic correspondent says he understands that the possibility was discussed of the withdrawal by Britain of two battleships and other vessels from the Mediterranean if Signor Mussolini would agree to recall more troops from Libya.

The News Chronicle's Rome correspondent says it is believed that II Duce will agree to withdraw another division from Libya if Britain removes some of her warships. The Rome correspondent of the Times says the Foreign Office spokesman states that Signor Mussolini probably referred to'the recent withdrawal of a division from Libya and expressed his expectation that it would have been appreciated in London, and that Sir Eric Drummond explained the reasons for Britain s lack of response to that action. Nevertheless, the visit of the Ambassador to Signor Mussolini is regarded as encouraging.