FRANCE AGREES

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1935, Page 5

FRANCE AGREES

COLLABORATION NEED

CO-OPERATION PROMISED

NAVAL PACT DISCUSSED

VISIT OF MR. R. A. EDEN

INVITATION TO LONDON

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7 p jn. London, June 22. ‘‘Mr. Eden and I have had a most useful discussion on the Anglo-German naval’ agreementand other European problems,” declared M. Pierre. Laval, French Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, after further conversations at Paris with Mr. Anthony Eden, British Minister in charge of League of Nations affairs. “We agreed in recognising the fact that France and Britain must - closely, collaborate to obtain collective security. ! “We also examined the view contained in the London communique of February 3 of the methods which should be used in collaborating to settle European questions. Mr. Eden has reported the conversations to his Government. We shall have a further interview when he returns from Rome.” The Sunday Times says the British Government has invited France to send naval experts to London. Mr. Eden was the guest of M. Lavalat X luncheon at the Quai d’Orsay a| Paris yesterday, after which intimate conversations on current affairs were begun.’A statement was issued by M. Laval on the first day as follows: “The naval accord recently concluded between the British and German Governments was examined with entire frankness. Mr. Eden informed me of the reasons which determined his Government to take these decisions. I did not fail'to renew the reserve which my Government made regarding the matter. My personal relations with Mr. Eden suffice to testify to the friendly character of ;bur conversations.” "I 1 ;

CONVERSATIONS NEAR END. It is expected that to-day’s meeting between the members of the Anglo-Ger-man naval delegation will bring the conversations to a close. Since the agree-? me'nt was reached by an exchange of Notes on Tuesday various technical matters in connection with construction programmes have been udder discussion between the experts. In the House of Commons Sir Bolton Eyries-Monsell, First Lard of the Admiralty,? explaining -'the naval agreement, said: -“The Government regards the proposal. as of great importance, since it holds out the possibility Of averting the all-time threat of . Anglo-German naval rivalry, which, once -commenced, -would necessarily, affect all members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. We consider the agreement must definitely be favourable to the'naval interests of other Powers and essentially a con-, tribution to world peace arid international appeasement- . ,• • - ' ' “We had to deal with the problem that Germany is already constructing a fleet which was outside the limits laid down by the Versailles Treaty; What we have done is to circumscribe the effects which might flow from this unilateral decision. - Germany ,is satisfied that a serious error would be committed if the Government hesitated unduly in accepting the German offer.” Sir Bolton Eyres-Monsell added that the Government was continuing conversations with other country, but he could not say when it would be possible to. have a full meeting of the signatories.