"MERELY SUGGESTIONS.”

Wairarapa Age, 14 December 1935, Page 5

"MERELY SUGGESTIONS.”

ANGLO-FRENCH PROPOSALS AT GENEVA.

AS POSSIBLE BEGINNING OF NEGOTIATIONS.

STATEMENT BY MR. EDEN.

BUGBY, December 12. When the League’s Committee of Eighteen met at Geneva this afternoon statements regarding the situation arising from the Paris

conversations were made by the French Premier (M. Laval) and

Mr. Anthony Eden, Acting British

Foreign Secretary. M. Laval said that the proposals drawn up in Paris would be communicated to the League Council, and the task of (he French and British Governments would then be done. It would be for the League itself to decide the next move. He hoped the Committee would recognise the loyalty of the effort which his Government, with ihe British Government, had made.

Mr. Eden said, in part: “The proposals now put foraßKt are neither definite nor sacrosanct. They are suggestions which it is hoped will make possible a beginning of negotiations. If the League does not agree with these suggestions we shall make no complaint; indeed, we should cordially welcome any suggestions for their improvement.”

The Polish delegate declared that the Paris proposals had created an entirely new situation, and he urged that the Committee should abstain from any measures of a political character until the Council had met and pronounced upon the situation.

The Committee appeared to agree with the Polish view, and adjourned till Saturday, when it will consider the report of the experts on the working of sanctions.—'(British Official Wireless, condensed.) . OPPOSITION GROWING. . MOTIONS IN BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. HOSTILITY ALSO IN PARIS. LONDON, December 12. Opposition tn the Hoare-Laval peace proposals continues to spread. Lord Davies will move in the House of Lords on December 18 a - motion Analogous to that sponsored by the four Conservatives and two Liberals, cabled earlier, which seven more members of the House of Commons are now supporting.

Sir Herbert Samuel strongly criticised the Government’s treatment of the position. In Paris opposition to the proposal is developing. In the Chamber of Deputies, M. Cot, a former Minister, tabled an interpellation to the Government’s policy which condemns giving to Italy what she is incapable of obtaining by conquest, and also offering Abyssinia a harbour which will damage Jibuti’s trade and French economic interests. M. Blum find two Socialists tabled an intergpllqtjon contending that M, Laval is aiming at paralysing' sanctions; moreover, substituting for them territorial benefits for an aggressor. M. Herriot is reported to be disgusted with the proposals.

“The “Times” Parliamentary representative says that the House of Commons will also discuss the proposals, probably on December 19, although a decision will not be taken .until there is some indication of Geneva’s reception of the terms.

PROPOSAL DEAD. AND ABOUT TO BE BURIED. V M. LAVAL CHIEF MOURNER.

(Received Friday, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 13. “The Times,” in a leader, says: “Neither good sense nor good faith requires that the British Government shall stand, upon terms which should have never been put foeward and are now bound to fail, but both demand that they shall accept tire League’s decision and with it the plain verdict of Bri- - tish public opinion.” “The Government’s duty, now as before,’““The Times” adds, “is to help to the utmost in proving that aggression does not pay and to maintain the League’s full rights and means of action to that end. The present proposals cannot possibly be reconciled with the obligations of the Covenant. They were bound to fail and have in fact failed already. Any fresh peace efforts will have to be guided by this week’s experience, especially by the determinra manifestation of public feeling, which will long make it memorable.” The I'NewsXjhronicle” expresses the opinion that Government circles regard the proposals as dead and that they will be interred when the League Council meets on December 18. It adds that Mr. Eden’s speeen at Geneva was tantamount io an invitation to the League to condemn the plan. M. Laval will be the chief mourner for the “illegitimate child,” as the peace plan is nicknamed. * AN ULTIMATUM. PRESENTED BY THE FRENCH PREMIER, ACCORDING TO “MANCHESTER GUARDIAN.” (Received Friday, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, December 13. The “Manchester Guardian’s” political correspondent says M. Laval virtually presented, an ultimatum. to Sir Samuel Hoare that France would have nothing to do with oil sanctions and was convinced they would drive Mussolini to desperation and might even, provoke an Italian attack on the British! Fleet. He did not withdraw the promise of French support in the event,of such an attack, but emphasised the technical difficulties preventing swift French aid. Therefore Sir Samuel Hoare collaborated in producing settlement proposals satisfactory, not to the League, but Mussolini.