ALTERNATIVE PACT

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1935, Page 5

ALTERNATIVE PACT

FRANCE AND THE SOVIET

THE PRINCIPLE ADOPTED

PREPARATION AT STRESA

ISLAND PALACE SCENE 1

By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. Rec. 10 p.m. London, April 10. It is understood M. Laval and the Soviet Ambassador, M. Potemkin, have agreed in principle on a Franco-Russian pact for signature when M. Laval goes to Moscow on May 23, says a Paris message. The convention is designed’to replace the eastern pact plan if Germany and Poland refuse to sign the latter. . Le Journal says the pact will ultimately take the form of a military agreement attached to a revised mechanism of the League of Nations. The Milan correspondent of the Times says Signor Mussolini is expected at Stresa to-day. He will be the guest of Prince Borromeo in the palace on the island of Isola Bella. The British and French Ministers will stay at the Grand Hotel, Stresa, but will take their meals at the palace in a room known as the “room of the medals,” representing episodes in the life of Saint Charles Borromeo.

The conference sittings will be held in the music room. The Prince has done everything possible to give the guests a taste of the family’s traditional hospitality. All his staff will be in costume and 16 liveried footmen will wait on Signor Mussolini and the British and French Ministers.

Referring to Sir John Simon’s statement, the Daily Telegraph says: “Public opinion will note with assurance that Britain is not committed to ariy course without previous discussion by Parliament,' but will expect a strenuous attempt to be made to reach a clear-cut decision as soon as the exploratory measures are complete.” The Morning Post asks when and where “this exploratory business is going to end.' We had better make up our minds to join those countries which are ready here and now to combine for common security. It would be absurd to represent as an encirclement a defensive security system to which Germany can gain admission for the asking.” The Daily Mail says Mr. MacDonald and Sir John Simon should state that the British people will not allow themselves to be taxed for or conscripted for the independence of Austria, the defence of Czechoslovakia or the wars of Moscow. They should announce that they have decided to organise British security and build a supreme air. fleet.