TALKS IN LONDON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23362, 30 November 1937, Page 9

TALKS IN LONDON

BRITAIN AND FRANCE WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS FAR EASTERN SITUATION (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Nov. 28. A wide range of international questions will be surveyed in the Anglo-French talks beginning in London to-morrow, although no change in the fundamentals of the British or French foreign policy is expected. It is noted with satisfaction that Berlin fully recognises the desirability of the conversations, and it may be emphasised that where the talks concern European questions their purpose will be to examine the possibility of bringing closer the Berlin-Rome axis and the special relationship existing between Britain and France—but not at the expense of any other party.

The French Ministers will hear from Viscount Halifax his own account of his German visit.

While the question of colonies is expected to be discussed, it should be borne in mind that this complex question affects countries not represented at the talks, for example, Belgium and three dominions.

Apart altogether from matters in which Germany is especially interested, there are other important questions upon which an exchange of views will, it is believed, prove valuable. One relates to Spain. Of more serious immediate importance, however, is the Far Eastern situation and threatened interference with the Chinese Customs service at Shanghai. There will probably, therefore, be a disposition at the meeting to recognise that the threat of war in Europe is not immediate, and to try to use that factor to reduce the risk of war elsewhere and make progress towards general appeasement.

STATESMEN ARRIVE IN LONDON LONDON, Nov. 28. M. Chautemps and M. Delbos have arrived in London. CHIEF FOCUS OF ANXIETY POSITION IN FAR EAST LONDON, Nov. 29. (Received Nov. 29, at 11 p.m.) Commenting on to-day's AngloFrench talks, The Times diplomatic correspondent says: " One of the enfactors in the present situation is that just as Britain and France accept and do not desire to influence the Berlin-Rome axis, so or the other side it is recognised that London and Paris are linked by special relations. The British and French Ministers will most carefully examine the possibilities of establishing better relations between the respective Governments and those of Berlin and Rome, but it is emphasised that there can be no question of effecting such rapprochement at the expense of a fifth or any other party—indeed, no such proposal, whether regarding Austria, Czechoslovakia or any other country, has ever been put forward. It is submitted that Germany's colonial claims will be fully discussed, but it will not be forgotten that other mandatories in Belgium, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand are also concerned. The same detailed consideration will be given to the complex of Anglo-Italian and Franco-Italian relations. This will naturally involve consideration of the Soanish question, although this issue is now regarded as less acute as a cause of international discussion. The British Government is far more concerned with the latest trend of developments in the Far East, which has superseded Soain as the chief focus of anxiety Difficult and anxious as the European situation is, the international temperature is judged in London to be lower than of late, and the threat of war cannot now be said to be immediate. At such a moment it is felt that diplomacy h<"* a chanrv 3 of which t.hr? British and French Ministprs desiro to make the best use possible."