FORMAL NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23310, 31 March 1939, Page 11

FORMAL NOTES

ROME AND PARIS BASIS OF RELATIONS TEXTS PUBLISHED PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS ITALY DECLAEES VOID By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March 30, 0.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 20 The text of an Italian Note handed by Count Ciano, Foreign Minister, to the French Ambassador on December 17 shows that the French Government on December 2 desired to kn'ow whether Italy considered that the agreements of 1935 were still in force and could still serve as a basis of Franco-Italian relations.

The agreements comprised a treaty for the settlement of reciprocal interests in Africa and a series of instruments which related to it. The exchange of gratifications did not follow, and negotiations had never even been begun for a special convention regarding Italians in Tunisia, so the treaty was never

completed. Italy contended that France's attitude in the Abyssinian campaign certainly was not in conformity with the intention of the agreements, which were never put into force and were thus made null and void. Moreover they were over-reached by history. The Italian Note described sanctions as having altered the general political situation, and also said that the constitution of the Italian Empire had created new rights and interests. In these conditions the agreements could not form the basis of Franco-Italian relations, which must be examined again if improvement was desired. The French Government replied on December 25, pointing out that the application of the agreements had been started by Italy being ceded 2500 shares in the Addis Ababa Railway Company, while in various negotiations until as late as April 22, 1938, the agreements had been taken as valid. Tlie French Note concluded by referring to France's moderating influence at Geneva regarding Italy's action in Abyssinia, in which connection Signor Mussolini on several occasions expressed his appreciation. The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies unanimously decided that the Italian Note of December 17 did not formulate precise demands.

GERMAN DEMANDS

REJECTION BY WARSAW

STATUS OF DANZIG NAZIS ALLEGE DISORDERS V iy LONDON, March 29 The Vice-President of the Polish Parliament. Colonel Bugoslaw Mvedzin- ' eki, announced to-day that Poland had rejected Germany's proposals to change the sovereignty of Danzig, to build a German road across the Polish Corridor, and that Poland should adhere to the anti-Communist Pact. He added that Poland was sufficiently prepared to'deal with the situation. It is authoritatively stated that no . ultimatum has been received from Germany and no pressure has been applied regarding the status of Danzig.

A German news agency continues to issue reports of anti-German demonstrations in Polish frontier regions. All the windows of all German, houses in Mai'gonin and Bromberg are reported to have been broken. Two clerks going ito their homes were attacked and seriously injured. These are alleged to be typical of •disturbances elsewhere. CLOSE CO-OPERATION FRANCE AND BRITAIN Independent Cablo Service LONDON, March 29 The- extent of Franco-British cooperation is being revealed to an increasing degree. It is learned that General Georges, right-hand mari of

General Gamelin, has been in England incognito„ for a fortnight. The Air Minister, M. La Chambre, is likely to come to London next week.