FRANCE AND BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 7

FRANCE AND BRITAIN

MEETING OF MINISTERS AT No. 10 DOWNING STREET EUROPEAN PROBLEMS. [ British Official Wir®let». ] RUGBY, Feb. 1. The conversations between the Brit isli aud French Ministers, which will extend over to-day and part of to-mor-row, began at No. IU Downing Street this morning. Messieurs Flandin and Laval were accompanied by officials aud on the British side in addition to the Prime Minister and Sir John Simon, Mr. Stanley Baldwin and Mr. Anthony Eden were also present. The French Ministers will at the conclusion of the morning talks be the guest at a small luncheon party given by Mr. Baldwin and conversations will afterwards be resumed. It is anticipated that the interim communiques will be issued to-day, but that little information will be available until the conclusion of the consultations to-morrow.

INTERIM REPORT CORDIAL ATMOSPHERE. DINNER AT FOREIGN OFFICE. [ British Official Wirel«*«. ] RUGBY, Feb. 1. The Anglo-French conversations which began this morning were continued this afternoon and after the Ministers separated the following joint communique was issued: “The Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, Sir John Simon, and Mr. Eden met Monsieur Flandin, Prime Minister of France, and Monsieur Laval, French Minister for Foreign Affairs, at No. 10 Downing Street to-day. Two meetings were devoted to a general examination of the principal questions of European policy. The Ministers will continue an examination of these different problems at their next meeting, which is fixed for to-morrow afternoon, to enable private conversations to take place in the morning. They were glad to note the spirit of friendly confidence in which the exchange of views wrs ■ ndertaken and is being pursued. His Majesty’s Government gave a dinner to-night at the Foreign Office in honour of M.AL Flandin and Laval. The Prime Minister presided and the guests numbered over 70. In addition to the French Ambassador and members of the visiting delegation ‘hose invited included members of the British Cabinet, the High Commissioners for the Dominions, the Lord Privy Seal, prominent members of both Houses of Parliament, and representatives of the

GERMANY’S ATTITUDE OUTSPOKEN COMMENT. BERLIN, Feb. 1. German newspapers, following ar jltieial lead, comment outspokenly oi the French Minister’s visit to London The Koelnische Zeitung says that Eng land, France, and Italy apparently want to revoke the part of the Peace Treaties which deals with armament: and replace it with a disarmament con vention which would in fact limit armaments. The Germania suggest: that. France merely desires to get Eng land to shoulder further security guarantees.

CABINET SUMMONED SECRET FRENCH DOSSIER. Received Feb. 3, 7.30 p.m, LONDON, Feb. 2. “Everything is going well, but it is unfinished,” said Sir John Simon, leaving No. 10 Downing Street at 8 p.m. after the Anglo-French conversations, which lasted five hours. The French Ministers hurried out to dine before the resumption at 9.20 p.m. The day’s surprise was the sudden summoning of Cabinet, an unusual event on Saturdays, after the morning’s negotiations, which were informally carried on till lunch time. The Cabinet meeting lasted 15 minutes, and members are reported to have been shown a secret dossier prepared by the French general staff scheduling the German military forces. The continuance of the negotiations after dinner necessitated M. Flandiu postponing his visit to Sir Gomer Berry at Farnham, where Mr. Neville Chamberlain is also a guest. M. Flandin is going to Sir Gomer Berry’s to-morrow, and is expected to discuss financial affairs with Mr. Chamberlain. M. Laval is expected to leave for home in the morning. M. Laval visited Mr. Henderson and discussed the continuance of the Disarmament Bureau *s work. AIR CONVENTION IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. AGR EEMENT ASSU RE I). Received Feb. 3, 11.55 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 3. The Anglo French conversations resumed to day at 9.40 p.m., and broke up at 11.45 p.m. Sir John Simon said: “We shall have to sit again to morrow. ’ ’ It is learned that the discussions are resuming at 4.30 p.m. M. Laval postponed his departure until Monday. The French Ministers remained more than an hour engaged telephonically and also talking to French journalists. It is learned from an authoritative source that the conversations proceeded satisfactorily and an agreement was virtually reached and will be concluded to-day, whereafter a communique will be issued. In the meantime it is essential to communicate with other govern nients. It is stated from well informed French sources that proposals have been drawn up for an air convention between England and France, and that a substantial measure of agreement has been reached on this question. The <|etials remains to be worked out, by the experts of both countries. It is also suggested that the. communique will incorporate a proposal for the cancellation of the military clauses of the Versailles Treaty with the ex ception of the demilita.rism of the left