FRANCE’S HINT

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1935, Page 5

FRANCE’S HINT

SUPPORT OF BRITAIN COLLECTIVE SECURITY 7 SUPREME EFFORT ASKED OPPORTUNITY FOR ITALY ROME PRESS INSISTENT By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 5.5 p.m. „ Geneva, Sept. 4. M. Laval at the League Council meeting said France was profoundly attached to the work of conciliation and refused to believe that a supreme effort would be vain. “The covenant binds us all," he said. “France rejoices at the proclamation of Britain’s fidelity to collective security. No Government has done more than mine to defend that principle on which all France’s international undertakings are based. I retain faith in the League.” The Geneva correspondent of the Times says Mr. Eden’s statement went to the extreme limit of conciliation to Italy and offered her another opportunity to forsake aggression and participation in honest and profitable negotiations. M- Laval went further than most expected in support of the League and concurrence with the British viewpoint. He gave an unexpectedly strong hint that France prefers collaboration with Britain to endorsing the Italian policy. The Rome correspondent of the Times says the Italian Press insists that Italy's appearance at the League Council does not imply that she accepts the position of a defendant. Italy floes not recognise the' League’s right to judge vital interests. ITALIAN PROTEST. Signor Mussolini instructed the Italian Minister at Addis Ababa strongly to protest against the speech of Mr.. Martin, Abyssinian Minister at London, in which he said that if the worst came to the worst Ethiopians would rather be. under Britain’s just and considerate administration than Italy’s. Alarm and anger are expressed m ofr ficial Abyssinian circles at the cancellation of Mr. Rickett’s contract, Forcing the companies to retract their deals is regarded as an invasion of Abyssinian sovereignty. Abyssinia hopes Mr. Rickett will be able to find other capital. President Roosevelt has expressed the hope that the cancellation of the Ethiopian leases would aid the peace negotiations, says a Washington cable. He declared that the cancellation was “another proof that since February 4, 1933 (when his Government took office), dollar diplomacy was not recognised by the American Government." The British Admiralty has issued a statement denouncing runiours of reinforcement of the Mediterranean fleet with capital ships, It suggests that the rumours probably b ave arisen because H.M.S. Barham, one of the Mediterranean fleet, is rejoining the fleet after a refit “The Admiralty takes the opportunity in order to obviate further rumour of the same kind to say that an aircraft carrier and a few minor units are now on their way to the Mediterranean ” the statement adds, A New South Wales State Labour Party anti-war meeting passed a resolution calling upon the Federal Government to declare the neutrality of Australia and take all necessary steps to preserve such neutrality, even to the extent of recalling Mr. S. M. Bruce from the League Council if the decision of that organisation involved war, states a Sydney message. The resolution also demanded the recall of the cruiser Australia to Australian water?. NOT WORTH ONE LIFE LABOUR PREMIER’S VIEWS Rec. pmi- Brisbane, Sept, 5. The Labour Premier of Queensland, Mr. Forgan Smith, commenting op Mr, J T. Lang’s anti-war speech last night, said unhesitatingly that the question who should control Abyssinia w as R ot worth the loss of a single Australian life. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, at Canberra said Mr, Lapg’s attitude would mean dropping the League of Nations. Australia was unlikely to do that. The situation was too delicate to say more at present-