ANGLO-FRENCH TALKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26693, 12 February 1948, Page 7

ANGLO-FRENCH TALKS

WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION TREATY WITH BENELUX COUNTRIES Rec. 10 p.m. LONDON. Feb. 11. Reviewing the next .step to be: taken by Mr Ernest Bevijn in promoting Western European cvo-operation, the diplomatic correspondent of lhe Times says that the British and French have discussed a draft treaty with the Benelux countries ' (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg), but already differences haVe emerged. The treaty proposed by Britain and France is reported to be on . the lines of the Dunkirk Treaty, whereas the Benelux countries are said to be seeking something more on the liif.es of the treaty signed last September in Rio do Janeiro for the mutual defence of the Americas. In other words, they want a treaty for mutual; defence against any aggressor rather than against Germany alone. / The correspondent adds that French doubts have'also arisen about just how far Britain' with her special relations with the dominions, can go in developing closer 'ties with Western Europe, especially regarding the Customs arrangements' which France seeks. Clearly there must be further Anglo-French exchanges if real headway is to be made /for sound AngloFrench understanding. . which is the only basis for any Union. i