STRESA CONFERENCE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 13 April 1935, Page 5

STRESA CONFERENCE

BRITAIN'S VIEWS

OUTLINED BY MR MACDONALD,

Press Association Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, Friday. Tho diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,” London, says the Stresa conference opened propitiously. The outline of the British views by the Prime Minister, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, appears to have commanded a large measure of approval. Signor Mussolini, Italy, kept his mind free from preconceived ideas, while the French Ministers were obviously pleased that Britain was prepared to identify herself with firm action, through Geneva, for the preservation of European peace. There is no indication that the three Powers will not be able to blend their ideas in a common conclusion.

Supplementing his previous dispatch, the diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says Mr MacDonald announced tho British Government’s determination to continue its efforts to achieve an armaments agreement under League supervision. He emphasised the British view that Germany must not be “let off” as though no offence had been committed, but that they should not exclude efforts to obtain Germany’s co-operation in building up the peace organisation of Europe. I

The delegates spent much time in the afternoon discussing the draft French resolution on the subject of German rearmament, recognising that it was essential to obtain a unanimous vote on the subject. The correspondent understands the French are anxious to secure approval for the inclusion in the resolution of words to the effect that, in the event of a further breach of the Versailles Treaty economic and financial sanctions will bo applied to Germany forthwith.

The Stresa correspondent of “The Times,” London, says that, according to authoritative information, Mr MacDonald’s speech made the British Government’s position quite clear; namely, that no country must assume, in the interests of its own policy, that France, Italy and Britain can be divided in any policy which can strengthen and secure the peace of Europe. FRENCH MISGIVINGS. LONDON, Friday. The Stresa correspondent of “The Times,” London, says that the upshot of the first day’s proceedings was, on the whole, satisfactory and encouraging, but the discussions will not terminate before 13th April. France has misgivings at the slowness of progress, and feels that little time remains owing to luncheons, dinners and the opera, for the discussion of vital matters. N

AN IMPORTANT ADVANCE. (Received Saturday, 11.57 a.m.) RUGBY, Friday. Sir J. Simon announced that following yesterday’s meeting at Stresa he had been in communication with Berlin and had received an assurance that the' German Government was now prepared to be a party to the Eastern Pact of non-aggression, even if some other parties might conclude among themselves a separate and 1 supplementary pact of mutual assistance. The only condition laid down by Germany is that the two pacts should be entirely separate instruments, and should not be included in one document.

Press reports state that this step is considered as a most important advance by the three Powers. —(British Wireless).