A FRESH START

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 7

A FRESH START

EUROPES PROSPECTS LONDON DECLARATION EXPLANATION AND COMMENT [ British Official Wireless. 1 RUGBY, Feb. 4. The results of the Anglo-French Ministerial conversations, which ire precisely defined in th J com--11 unique issued last night, were \ arinly welcomed on all sides. It s felt that a procedure has been greed upon which, if carried h rough, will give Europe a fresh Mart. The significance of the conversations was emphasised in broadcast speeches made by SSir John Simon to British listeners and by M. Laval to 1 reach people. The French Foreign Minister expressed the earnest hope that Germany would respond to the pressing call they were making to her. The declaration Df London, he said, emphasised the ?ood spirit common to both 1 rance tnd Britain and the solidarity of their ■merest?. “It is our common hope «o assume and to achieve methodically he organisation of the security of Europe. We have worked hard for Air Convention. Sir John Simon devoted a great part of his speech ip the proposal mcn-.-.oned in the communique for an agreement between certain of the Western Powers by which the signatories to that agreement would undertake immediately to give the assistance of their air forces to any of them which might be the'victim of unprovoked aerial aggression by one of the contracting parties. In addition to this most important and novel suggestion relating to security against air attack he said that the communique dealt with (1) the League of Nations ind the undoubted achievements’ it aad secured for the benefit of the world in recent of which the Saar settlement was an example; (-) the agreement at Rome between the French and Italian Governments; and (3) the problem of peace and security in Europe, particularly, as it. was fected by the claims and position of Germany. Dealing in greater detail with the

air danger, he said that assuming that the Western Powers who .were, parties to the proposed new agreement were France, Germany, Belgium, and Britain, the only cases in which Britain might be called upon to take part under the proposed agreement were :hose in which she was already bound o participate under the Treaty of Locarno, but it would give precision to the promise at present expressed in more general terms. “We think the right course is to consult some of the other countries who, we imagine, would be interested in the project and willing dispassionately to consider it, and we have communicated to-day with Italy, Germany, and Belgium. Germany in this matter is being treated as she ought to be treated, on a level with everybody else invited to the discussions.” With the sole exception of the tDaily Express which is opposed to all British commitments on the Continent, the newspapers regard the results of the conversations as offering great en couragement to Europe. The Times, which notes that there is goodwill in every paragraph of the Anglo-French statements, says that the proposed Western European air convention is an amplification of Locarno, , but its importance consists less in pre vision or in definition than in psycho.ogical values, and since trouble is primarily psychological an enhanced sense of security on either side of the Rhine should have a beneficial and tranquilising influence upon two couu tries which, in effect, have nothing to quarrel about. The Daily Telegraph says that the. new agreement should calm fears about present security and at ihe same time open the door by which the British idea] of achieving peace in such disarmament as would deny ag gression may be reached. The final word now rests with Germany. The Manchester Guardian says that hose who accept Locarno will accept he proposed convention also. The Daily Herald says that com non sense has prevailed, and Germany las been invited to enter the convex -at ions for the purpose of concluding ■i general settlement freely negotiated. This is a sane and sensible proposal, and there is ground for hoping that the German Government will not give a blank negative to the invitation. The News-Chronicle says: “Here at last is a new starling point. We hope that the negotiations will be a step towards the peace of Europe will be pressed forward with vigour, and will meet with an encouraging response.” The -Daily Mail-says that the line followed by the National Government undoubtedly accords with the wishes <>f :he people of this country.

Other Powers Informed. The terms of the joint communique resulting from the Anglo-French conversations were conveyed to the Ger man, Italian, and Belgian Governnents yesterday, and in each case prompt and careful » considerations were promised. No immediate official •ornment is expected or desired, for the document obviously required careful study. So far as can be judged from the press the first impressions of this important document have nowhere been unfavourable. In the House of Commons to-day Sir John Simon mentioned that before the communique was issued steps had been taken to inform the other Locarno Governments, Italian, Belgian and German, of the trend of the AngloFrench discussions and to explain that they were now invited to join with the French and British Governments in equal consultation. Sir John Simon added, as regards the scheme for providing in Western Europe a deterrent against unprovoked aerial aggression by one country or, another, that it was agreed between the French and British Ministers tha if the scheme was adopted Britain' commitment would not extend to beyond the class of case already cohered by the Locarno obligations. During question time, the Leader ol the Opposition (Mr. G. Lansbury) expressed recognition of the importance )f the communique which to-d»y was issued in a Parliamentary White Paper, and Sir H. Samuel

Leader) provoked cheers when he congratulated the Foreign Secretary on the measure of agreement so far achieved, and expressed the common hope that it would lead to useful results. Sir H. Samuel asked for an assurance that the pursuit of the objects embodied in the communique would not lead to a slackening of the efforts of the Government to secure a general disarmament convention. foi which those proposals were of course not substituted. To this Sir John Simon replied: ••! ; have no hesitation in giving that .-u rance. ” GERMANY’S PART ACCEPTANCE NECESSARY MR. WARD PRICE’S VIEW LONDON, Feb. 4. Mr. Ward Price, in the Daily Mail, points out that the Anglo-French agreement can guarantee European peace only if Germany participates, whereupon the war clouds will be dispersed; otherwise a world conflict is only a matter of time. “England's fate lies in the hands of Herr Hitler, whose acceptance of the invitation to join the air pact would i change European antagonism into cooperation. Despite certain unfavourable influences, Herr Hitler personally desires peace.” FRENCH SATISFIED PREMIER'S BROADCAST PARIS, Feb. 4. M. Flandin, broadcasting, expressed the Governments satisfaction at the Anglo-French agreement as overcoming the menace to European peace. ' RUSSIA SCEPTICAL ALLEGED VAGUENESS MOSCOW, Feb. 4. The, Anglo-French agreement is sceptically received on the grounds of vaguness- It is also contended that it will lead to rearmament in Germany, provoking an armament race.

MINISTER’S BROADCAST MR. LANSBURY PROTESTS J,ON DON, Feb. 4. Ln the House of Commons Mr. G. Lansbury protested against Sir John Simon broadcasting his speech on Anglo-French negotiations on Sunday instead of waiting to make the first announcement in the House of Commons, when questions could Ini put. Sir John Simon replied that he undertook the broadcast solely in order that the communique should be under stood. Sir 11. Samuel also said I hat be hoped that in future such a statement | of such importance would first be I made in the House of Commons. , I THE DOMINIONS INFORMED LATER. APPROVAL HOPED FOR. LONDON, Feb. 1. Although the- British informally out lined the Anglo-French discussions to the Dominion High Commissioners to the Dominions, the British have not ■ Bought the Dominions’ attitude. On

the contrary they concluded the negotiations without awaiting the IDominions’ reactions. It is pointed out that this is the vrst major parley for a considerable time in which it has not been necessary for Britain to more than keep the Dominions informed. It is hoped that the proposals will be widely approved by the Dominions. BURIAL OF MYTH BRITISH INSUABITY THE IT AJ.I AN VIEWPOINT (Tinies Cable; Received Feb. 5, 11.50 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 5. The rimes' Rome correspondent says that, the outstanding feature of the Anglo-French discussions in the Italian opinion is the close collaboration now established between Britain, France and Italy, the immediate practical outcome of which is the association of Britain with Frame ami Italy in any consultations necessary if Aus tria’s independence is threatened, but the point arousing must interest is the proposed air convention, especially Brilaiit's readiness io participate. In this fact, according to one newspaper, lies “the definite burial of the myth of British insularity.” RUSSIA'S DESIRK ALLIANCE WITH FRANCE ••COLD .'SHOULDER'’ I'KATIED Received F'cb. 6, 1.1 • > a.m. LONDON, Feb. 3. The. Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic i oriespomlrnl says that Litvinoff ihankcring after a Franco Russian alliance as he fears that, as France becomes reassured by more precise guarantees of security, she will become less interested in Russia. LitvinolT does not want to be cold shouldered. Al. Laval realising the position, called mi thf Russian Ambassador immediately afVr his return to Paris.