FRENCH FOREIGN POLICY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 305, 30 December 1935, Page 5

FRENCH FOREIGN POLICY

Co-operation with • Britain SPEECH BY PREMIER TEST VOTE IN CHAMBER A GOVERNMENT VICTORY (Uy Tdigraph—Press Association —Copyright] Received Dec. 29, 6.5 p-m. PAHLS, Dec. 27. M Laval in opening the fateful Fore ga Affairs debate, asked: ’ Have I done anything not conforming to the grit and the letter of the Covenant ?” e referred to the grave events of Sir Samuel Hoare’s resignation and Britain’s repudiation of the Paris Kan, in which “the Italian Government did not give us all the help we expected.” Obviously referring to M. Herriot, X. Laval said that certain speeches did •art help their work. “When England asked our aid at .ea, c»n land, and in the air in the fveut of attack,” he said, “I made a ieciaration to the British Ambassador which 1 repeated to Sir .Samuel Hoare. the questions of sanctions arose, I took all the necessary measures for their Joyal application,” M. Laval conceded. ”1 did not fail to maintain thwe Anglo - French collaboration, which was essential in the interests ol peace. 1 do not object to Britain’s reaction of the peace proposals. New ittempts must be made. 1 will pericvere in my efforts in favour of peace.” Referring to the peace proposals, M. Laval explained that he and Sir gamut'l Hoare had decided before the tentemplation of grave sanctions to atttmpt a conciliation, but the League M not accept the plan. The House of I Commons had not understood France’s feyaity to the League.” * *NevertheIbs. my conscience is clear,” said M. Laval. “1 have not compromised French relations. Oil Sanctions. He aided at present there was no ftesnon of oil sanctions, as that dejeed&d on the United States, where Congress would not decide before Januirv 15, while the League Council would ■Kt on January 2’?. “1 promise to tOEsnlt the Chamber regarding oil ■actions when the time comes,” he M. Laval said that France had been Haxed for not moving a man or ship 9 assist England, but such a question rot been raised at the League Council, which was essential under Article 16. Meanwhile, unfortunately, [newspaper articles about Italian troop BVements in Libya had aroused Biiety in England, resulting in BriXs. asking whether France was ready ■ support her. “1 am now told that I gave an assurance,” said M. J .aval, 5K nevertheless let it be understood Oa* France would not respect such an overtaking. 7 ’ he added amid cheerz. *1 could a-ucept such an insuit fur myfcf. but not for my country. Uoiamieations of this nature usually are Bt revealed in Parliament, because cey are the concern ot the general aif, nut after the Anglo-Erem n poliml agreement of Octooer I>, the Bri- : ■ i French admiralties Legau con«?Tsa‘which extended on Decemter 9 and 10 to the military air M. Laval, amid resounding cheers, •eare.j; -*lt painful to make these ■veiarph;:*, but I have be»’-n sutiiciently 3»k t j keep Italy informed of the 12g : . French conversations. I also inMined Sgnor Mussolini at rhe oulBtak "f hostilities what would be Far. attitude. France alone, of 54 bcitP'. has taken these technical meaAtier re-emphasising the value of rxi ’’■’-itish cooperation, M. Lavai Ktinued: “1 have always been most ittl'b:' » of the relations »»f Sir Samuel bare and Mr. Anthony F.drn in jißgk'L reiirh affair?. M. Blum reFOarh*'•* rue for warning Italy too late, ■wending that war would not have ■Starred it I had affirmed France’s ■Stir.-- • the Covenant, but as long Bfi'i- July we drew Signor Mu.»olini’* ■■■•• to French enn»arra--ni»-»it in r •nt of hvstihtie?, while m ■tai.-’ nnd October 1 repeated that • :ld respect her engagements ■t’-• League. Moreover, in August, retain, 1 suggested a substan- . «>t conciliation, which Siguvr : ; i did not accept. France will r (> apply sanctions, but I shall ' while nr-t breaking rhe Uuv- • pursue conciliation.” : Franco-German Relations. Frau---’ticro'iiu rri;i«i«>n;, >.•• lan -I that witho.ii i laucur.ippiociiciiieut their ua? no J.pea’i p»;i'-c. bur >uch p mii.l.i-c under the .-.'d- • gunisatiun of security. ••£ re- ’ ■■ v lu-t words S r >a!iiuel -'r t he wa.- leaving in * It this mneihatsuc- ■ it will open lor • British cu-uperat o>u. We :■« bring Germany back into -■ '■•• urn > J also recall three 'g cun’.er-ation with Geng whom 1 met at -Marshal ■ runeral, regarding the re•o.'tacic' to iappiocnerneut. ■ -ii any word uttered making -ler.-tan iirig mere difficult.’' . repiy.o.g to M. i’cmonzie, a* ■ • -mrio. nbp.e is.-ut >i at’te." ii • . ‘s vnversation with the ' -i ba.-»adur, m which he de- » anco-Soviet Pact directed rermany. He added: “Th* •' a military alliance, but like &** er diplomatic arrangements ie, is in the spirit ami ’et- ' league.” ofti' ml figures show 296 _7'. in favour of the GovernOpposition’s motion of re- ' •• Government had ii"t given x . a clearer impression or its • xent voting on a motion of tiie Government to pursue 1 . framework of the League ..f conciliation and interna1 i-rstanding, resulted in 301 L.;. a| \ victory was due to the d Gcj.tre Kcpublicat' ineA-”•■r.’i'-on and deriding to “ t (i->\ernment. M. Jfeynaud the leadership »>f the ** owing to the party ■ -t.-rdriyspeech. b’«t <»o--’.'f still predicting that M. v. U '.nm; be endangered on

DEPUTIES VIEWS ATTACKS ON GOVERNMENT Received Dec. 29. 7.5 p.m. PARIS, Dec. 28. M. Pezet, the popular Democrat, opened th»* foreign affairs debate. He attacked the Government and supported the League. M. Chappe de Laine tabled the following motion as M. Laval took his seat on th© Government bench. ‘‘The Chamber, true to France’s traditional policy, and approving the Government’s declarations, place© conlidence in the Government to assure peace while respecting .the League Covenant. G A succession of five-minutes speeches, in accordance with the rule®, followed, and the debate was adjourned till the afternoon. Upon resumption, M. (Demonzie. former Minister, attacked Al. Laval, explaining that whilcthe supported -M. Laval after his visits to Moscow' and Rome because apparently he was aiming at collective security, he found the Premier was treating international affairs like a suburban election. He negotiated a pact with Russia, when Czechoslovakia and Koumaniu followed suit, but he did not ratify the pact. M. Picard, Radical Socialist, in a sensational speech, declared that he spoke on behaif of all the deputies in the eastern provinces, which would be the first threatened in the event of war. He referred to the Hitler menace and German rearmament, adding “We believe that effective defence must be accompanied by collective security. Hence the closest collaboration with England and other nations, who still have confidence in us, which is essential. That is ivhy I reject M. Laval’s policy.” The speech ended in uproar, deputies slamming desk-lids so continuously that the meeting was suspended for 20 minutes. When it resumed the crowded Chamber with ill-concealed impatience. awaited M. Laval, who delivered what is regarded as his lirst exposition of foreign affairs during his office. He affirmed faithfulness to the League Covenant ahd denied failure to carry out the undertakings by France, which pinned its faith to international He added that the French policy was security entirely based on the League, on which the treaties of Tx>carno, the agreement with the Little Entente and all other understandings reposed. “I might have followed the example of the majority of the member© of the League and done nothing before the Italo-Abyssinian hostilities began,” be said. “On the contrary, I examined with Sir Samuel Hoare and Mr. Eden the grave situation the event of hostilities, and although we set aside all that might have led to war, including military sanctions, a naval blockade, and the closing of the .Suez Canal, economic and financial sanction© were eonteirplated and the Committee of Co-ordination was convened. It was not F’rance which turned down certain sanctions when the time limit was raised. France suggested four days. Moreover, France has loyally and strictly applied sanctions. ’ I will not raise the question whether it has been the same everywhere.”