PEACE TEST

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1935, Page 7

PEACE TEST

LEADERS MEET

STRESA CONFERENCE

REARMING OF GERMANY

> FRENCH MEMORANDUM

TREATY DENUNCIATION

British Wireless. i Rugby, April 11. The three'-Power conference began in the Castle Borromeo, Isola Bella, off Stresa, to-day. At the opening session there were present Signor Mussolini," Baron Aloisi, and Signor Suvich (Italy), Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, Sir John Simon, Sir Robert Vansittart and Mr. W. Strand (Britain), M.M. Flandin, Laval, Noel and Legere (France). v The first business was to hear from the British Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, a full account of the visits he and Mr. R. A. Eden paid to the European capitals. A further session was held late this afternoon, when M. Laval presented a French memorandum to be laid before next Monday’s special meeting of the League Council convoked in response to an appeal by France based on article 11, part 11, of the League Covenant to examine the threat to peace and good relations resulting from Germany’s unilateral denunciation of the Versailles Treaty.

It is understood that the' memorandum, while not demanding direct condemnation of Germany, points out “that the German methods render international collaboration, if not impossible, at least most difficult” The text of the motion will be introduced by France and will also be discussed ! by the conference, and it is thought possible that a joint resolution by the three Powers may be agreed upon for introduction at the League Council meeting. A Stresa cable states that some stir was created by an editorial in the Italian newspaper Popolo .di Italia, either attributed to Signor Mussolini or written with his approval, suggesting that in view of the gravity of the East European atmosphere, Russia, Germany and Poland should be invited to send representatives, pending whose arrival decisions should not be taken,, The article adds: “Italy is keeping 600,000 men under arms until the political sky is cleared.” CLEAR-CUT DECISION WANTED., The Paris newspapers are unanimous in hoping that the Stresa conference will yield a clear-cut, definite and vigorous agreement between the three Powers. Le Journal describes the conference as “a hand of bridge without a dummy.” Germany, being “dummy,” is absent but has laid her cards on the table. To the strains of “God Save the King” played by a military band Mr. Ramsay MacDonald arrived by train at Stresa at 8.40 a.m. He was warmly welcomed by Signor Mussolini, who spoke in English. Great precautions were taken for the safety of the foreign delegates, and when M. Laval, the French Foreign Minister, took an early stroll he found himself accompanied by 20 plain clothes detectives.

A later message states that according to the Stresa correspondent of the Times the upshot of the first day’s negotiations on the wllole has been satisfactory and encouraging, but the discussions will not terminate before Saturday. France has misgivings at the slowness of progress and feels that little time remains owing to luncheons, dinners and the opera, for a discussion of vital matters. “Russia has sounded Lithuania, Latvia and Esthonia on joining the security pact, possibly linked' with France and Russia, in accordance with the original suggestion for eh' Eastern European pact,” says the Times. “The Baltic Governments are considering the proposal It is expected that Czechoslovakia will join the Franco-Russian' pact.”