WORLD SERVICE

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1935, Page 5

WORLD SERVICE

FRANCO-ITALIAN AIMS UNIVERSAL PEACE SOUGHT NOT TWO COUNTRIES ONLY EUROPE AND THE WORLD CONVERSATIONS AT ROME

Ey Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, Jap. 3. “The negotiations we have been conducting have been very delicate, but have always been carried on with the greatest cordiality,” stated M. PJerye Laval, French Foreign Minister, to foreign Press correspondents before his departure for Rome to engage in conversations with the Italian Government. “The task Signor Mussolini and I are taking in hand is not alone, concerned with our two countries. Its aim is higher. It is not merely to establish a closer and more solid and unshakeable friendship between Italy and France, but to put that common friendship at the service of the world. . “The peace I shall defend in the interests of France Signor Mussolini will defend in tiie interests of Italy; but as we have the same comprehension of the grave questions we are facing we shall both defend the interests of universal peace. , . , “These sentiments I know are . shared by all those countries with which we have discussed our work- They have all the same appreciation of the respondbility that lies upon our shoulders. I am convinced that the. task I am endeavouring to accomplish with Signor Mussolini will lead us to a rapprochement with all those whose collaboration is indispensable to the safeguarding of the peace of Europe and the world.

HOPEFUL OF OUTCOME. The British newspapers continue to comment hopefully with regard to the outcome of M. Laval’s visit to Signor Mussolini. The terms upon which the French and Italian Ministers are seeking a settlement of the issues that for so long have been outstanding between them have not been made known with any precision. The same applies for tne time being to the wider “hon-interfer-ence agreement” projected between a number of European Powers. The newspapers do not fail to point out that success must help to pave the way for an approach to the armament issue. The newspapers state that FrancoItalian colonial questions that have been outstanding since the war and have been narrowed down relatively to minor issues during diplomatic exchanges will form the subject of the conversations, »s well as work on the projected multilateral pact sponsored by France, ana Italy for guaranteeing Austrian integrity, the prospect of which is regarded as being notably advanced by M. Laval’s decision to undertake the visit. The Times says in regard to Austria: “It seems probable that in its final form the agreement will relate chiefly to non-< Interference In the internal affairs of a neighbouring country and to common action against international terrorists. Much satisfaction has been expressed In official circles here at. yesterday’s developments, as the British Government throughout the recent negotiations has done everything possible to advance; them. , The Foreign Office announcement says: “On the occasion of his conversations in Paris on December 22 with MM. Flandin and Laval on the European situation,' Sir John Simon, British Foreign Secretary, expressed the hope that the conversations could be renewed in London at an early date. Owing to pressure of time It has been found necessary to postpone the visit, which will now take place as soon as possible after the sitting of the Council of the League of Nations on January 11.”