ND MILITARY ALLIANCE

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 7

ND MILITARY ALLIANCE

FRANCO-ITALIAN MEETINGS EXAGGERATION OF REPORTS GERMANY INDEED CIRCLED CAN BREAK RING ANY TIME By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. London, Sept. 9. Conversations at Rome between Signor Mussolini, Prime Minister of Italy, and the French Ambassador at Rome, Count de Chambrun, have given rise to exaggerated reports that an understanding has been reached, with suggestions for an “Iron Ring” round Germany.

The facts are that the conversations are proceeding in a friendly' atmosphere as a preliminary to the visit of M. Louis Barthou, French Foreign Minister, to Rome in October. It is understood that the subjects being discussed include the Libyan frontier, the status of Italians in Tunis and naval parity. The idea of a military alliance which would include the Little Entente is completely discredited. “Germany is indeed encircled, but the circle was drawn in Berlin and not outside,” the Observer comments. “Germany can at any moment break the circle by withdrawing notice of secession from the League of Nations. It is mischievous and unnecessary to talk of an ‘lron Ring.’ ” “WAR NOT GOOD IN ITSELF” APPEAL MADE TO GERMANY Paris, Sept. 9. General Petain, speaking at the Marne anniversary celebrations, appealed to Germany to recall her own dead and remember that war was not good in it-.-elf. “Humanity seeks only lasting peace since 1914,” he said.