WILL STAND BY LEAGUE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 204, 31 August 1935, Page 9

WILL STAND BY LEAGUE

THE ATTITUDE OF FRANCE MUST SUPPORT BRITAIN PEACE TO BE STRIVEN FOR. BUT LEAGUE MUST BE UPHELD. | (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright? Received Aug. 30, 8.45 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 30. 'The Chronicle’s Paris correspondent says it is reported that a majority of members of the French Cabinet favour League action in the Abyssinian dispuite if the need arise. M. Herriot declared: “Everybody wants peace. Nobody wants sanctions, but if conciliatory 1 methods fail it will be impossible for the Government of which I am i a member to forsake the League.” | Radical Ministers especially argue that if France refuses to unite with Britain in support of the Covenant, how could France expect British support in the future if, Hitler, following Mussolini’s precedent, decided to occupy Austria? They deprecate prejudging the Italian case or hasty action, but insist that if and when all else fails the League must be upheld whatever the consequences. The Telegraph says that shipping interests are sceptical of Signor Mussolini’s claim that Italy is capable of facing a financial crisis. They held a special meeting to decide on drastic action against Italy if outstanding freight accounts are not paid. Coal vendors, similarly, are not disposed to continue a supply to Italy. Italian payments due to Britain in mid-August totalled £1,831,000. Transfers amount to only £83,000. It is understood that the Foreign Office is now fully acquainted with the Dominions’ views as far as opinion can be expressed upon the outline of the British attitude, which cannot *be drawn up in detail before the Geneva meeting. Mr. Anthony Eden and M. Laval will consult at either Paris, on September 2, or Geneva, on September 3. in furtherance of collective peace efforts. Official circles attach significance to the fact that M. Herriot and M. Paul Boncour are accompanying M. Laval tc Geneva. Denmark, Finland and Sweden ..The Times’ Oslo correspondent says that a conference of foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland and Sweden, held to discuss the attitude towards the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia, decided to stand by the League. When the League Council meets ar Geneva, it is expected that early in the proceedings a report will be made on the Three-Power Conference in Paris, at which comprehensive proposals for a settlement of the ItaloAbyssinian dispute, which were believed to reconcile the recognised legitimate aspirations of Italy and the known need on the Abyssinian Government for expert assistance and advice with the treaty obligations and rights of all parties, were suggested for discussion by the French and British Governments and were rejected by Signor Mussolini. Mr. Eden, who on August 3 undertook to inform the Council at its next meeting of the result of the Paris talks, is understood to have been considering the terms of this report before settling the final form of which he will certainly wish to consult with M. Laval, with whom he has been closely associated in all the attempts of the last few months at Geneva and elsewhere to facilitate a peaceful outcome from, the present Italo-Abyssinian tension as well as at the recent Paris meeting.