POLICY OF FRANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23042, 20 May 1938, Page 11

POLICY OF FRANCE

ITALIAN OPPOSITION ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN QUESTIONS IN COMMONS British "Wireless RUGBY, May 18 Several questions on the Spanish situation were answered in the House of Commons to-day by the UnderSecretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. 11. A. Butler. Mr. Arthur Henderson (Labour — Kingswinford) asked for an assurance that the British Government would support the French Government in resisting Italian pressure to change the French policy toward the Spanish Government.

Mr. Butler, in reply, stated that the good offices of the British Government were always at the disposal of the French and Italian Governments should they desire them, with a view to expediting a settlement of the Spanish situation. *

Mr. Henderson: In view of the fact that the policies of the French Government and the British Government in relation to Spain are the same, does the British Government intend to allow the Italian Government to drive a wedge between them on this question?

Mr. Butler: I do not necessarily accept the interpretation the hon. member puts on Signor Mussolini's speech, and I cannot, therefore, give the assurances he desires.

Mr. Noel Baker )v (Labour— Derby) asked if Mr. Butler could define circumstances in which the British Government would consider a settlement of the Spanish question had been arrived at. In reply, Mr. Butler said he could not go further than the statement made by the Prime Minister on May 2. Mr. Baker: Does the Government accept or repudiate the definition Signor Mussolini has now given that there must be a victory for General Franco before a settlement can be arrived at? Mr. Butler: The Government's policy is given by the Prime Minister and not by anyone else. A question by Mr. Wedgwood Benn (Labour—Manchester) referred to an interview between the Prime Minister and the Italian Ambassador. Mr. Butler said it was private, and he was not prepared to answer questions as to its nature "The hon. member must not assume that the Prime Minister will give an explanation of the words cited in his question." arms for republicans FRANCE DENIES COMPLICITY RUSSIAN AND CZECH MUNITIONS (Received May 19. 5.5 p.m.) PARIS. May 18 The French Foreign Office denies the allegation that Russian and Czech war material is going to Spain via France, or that the French General Staff assisted the Republicans to prepare their defences. It is also denied that Signor Mussolini demanded that France should recognise ft victory.