BRIGHT SPOT IN EUROPE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1933, Page 5

BRIGHT SPOT IN EUROPE

BRITISH AND ITALIAN WORK

IMPROVEMENTS IN LEAGUE

GERMANY INDISPENSIBLE

ITS RETURN PRESSING NEED British Official Wireless. Rec. 5.5 .m. Rugby, Dec. 18. M. Avenol, secretary-general of the League of Nations, before leaving for Paris after a week’s visit' to London was the guest of Sir Austen Chamberlain at luncheon. He had conversations during his sojourn with the leading British Ministers and public men, with whom he discussed League affairs. It is understood the British Ministers are willing and anxious to examine any definite proposals for improvement of the League machinery which Signor Mussolini may advance. The Times says it has been accordingly agreed that a series of questions should be submitted to Signor Mussolini as soon as possible. It is felt, however, that the immediate need is that every effort should continue to bring Germany back to the conference table.

“The only silver lining in Europe’s dark clouds is that Britain and Italy are working together to weather the storm,” says the Italian newspaper Stampa, which hopes that Signor Mussolini and Sir John Simon at their forthcoming meeting will discover means of alleviating the international situation. “Collaboration with Germany, whether inside or outside the League, is indispensible. Realisation of that fact means reaching the half-way house to peace.”