BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13086, 21 October 1935, Page 3

BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

MAJOR ISSUES. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON/October IS. Brita ill’s questions to M. Laval arc raising major European issues, including the future of the Locarno Treaties. The Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent understands that Britain has taken the opportunity to remind M. Laval that- if France is not prepared to carry out her obligations in the letter and spirit of the Lea-* guo Covenant she cannot be surprised if Britain reconsiders her interpretation of Locarno. The French general staff is reported to be irritated by M. Laval’s vacillation and consider it follv to jeopardise France’s friendship with England, thus completely reversing the past policy. The French press takes a similar view and insists that M. Laval replv favourably to Britain. A Rome message states that Italy is also becoming apprehensive for Locarno which she regards as the onlv real guarantee of peace and a vital link between the Great European Powers Gayda in contrast with recent attacks on Britain, writes: ‘*lt is no longer a question of the wretched Abyssinian affair, but of how the foundations of the political and spiritual system of the Ban ope of tomorrow shall he laid.” GENEVA. October 18. It is generally considered in League circles that belli nd Britain’s questions to M. Laval lies a determination to suggest a blockade ci the Suez Canal if the sanctions fail Reports from Suez suggest that Italy is preparing a contingency. She has converted Port Massawa into a formidable stronghold with batteries of fifteen inch guns with a range of 20 miles while the guns are capable of dealing with destroyers and light cruisers in Command Bay. At least five submarines are patrolling the Red Sea. Over five hundred, aeroplanes have assembled in East Africa. The sea is a solid mass of ships for a mile around Massawa.