FRENCH MINISTER VISITS ITALY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20000, 7 January 1935, Page 7

FRENCH MINISTER VISITS ITALY

IMPORTANT DECISION FORECASTED GERMAN CRITICISM OF PROPOSED PACT British Official Wireless (Received January 6, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, January 4. Much interest is displayed here in the conversations about to take place in Rome between M. Pierre Laval, French Foreign Minister, and Signor Mussolini, and at which negotiations on important European and other questions, which through diplomatic channels have been proceeding for some time, will be supplemented by a more direct change of views. On his arrival this evening at Rome, M. Laval was accorded a most cordial welcome by the Duce, who was accompanied by Italian Ministers and foreign diplomats. Signor Mussolini accompanied M. Laval, who is accompanied by his daughter, to tpe French Embassy. FORECAST OF POLICY OUTLINE OP FRANCO-ITALIAN FLANS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 6, 11 p.m.) ROME, January 6. Signor Mussolini and M. Laval this morning had a long and secret meeting. No communique has been issued. It is understood that an agreement has been reached, whereby France and Italy agree to consult each other in the event of interference with Austria’s independence. It was also recommended that Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Jugo-Slavia, Czecho-Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Rumania should sign a pact, undertaking not to interfere with each other’s internal affairs, not to initiate aggression and not to countenance terrorism. Concessions in Africa Signor Mussolini and M. Laval also discussed the rectification of the Franeo-Italian frontiers in Libya and Tunis, which discussion will be resumed on January 7. It is understood that France is ceding Italy an area of 5000 miles (which is as uarge as England) in the Sahara, which is occupied by 200,000 pastoral tribes. M. Laval had lunch with the King. He will visit the Pope on January 7, and will discuss the Saar plebiscite. Exchange of Compliments At a State dinner in the evening, Signor Mussolini said: “I believe you will agree with me that our agreements must not be interpreted as opposed to, or even as exclusive, of other countries, who wish to collaborate in the work we wish to commence.” M. Laval said; “We have given birth to a great hope, and we shall not disappoint that hope. Peace must be maintained and consolidated.” GERMANY’S GUARDED ATTITUDE HAS ENGLAND BEEN LEFT OUT? United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapn—Copyright (Received January 6, 11 p.m.) BERLIN, January 6. When a journalist communicated the report on the Franeo-Italian agreement to the Foreign Office a spokesman opined that the Pact seemed to weaken instead of strengthening the numerous declarations for safeguarding Austria, and also created the impression that England had been left out. Moreover, Germany was studiously avoiding interference with Austria, while the absence of a definition of interference might render the Pact harmful in providing opportunities for accusations by interested Powers. Germany’s attitude depended upon the exact wording of the Pact and the number of countries participating.