WHERE STANDS FRANCE ?

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 241, 18 October 1935, Page 5

WHERE STANDS FRANCE ?

BRITISH NOTE DEMANDS ASSURANCE QUESTION OF NAVAL ACTIVITY M. LAVAL’S REPORTED VIEWPOINT By Electric Telegraph—United Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, October 17. “The Times’’ Paris correspondent says: “It is understood that the British Note to France refusing- to reduce British naval strength in the Mediterranean emphasises that existing- precautions will be maintained until the relations between Britain and Italy return to a basis of friendship. The Note, also, it is believed, is a reminder that Signor Mussolini is now at war in defiance of a number of solemn pledges and that the value of any further pledge is largely vitiated in. advance.

“The Note also repeats the demand for unconditional assurance that France will fulfil up to the hilt the obligation assumed by all League members under Article XVI. of the Covenant—that they ‘will mutually support one another in resisting any special measures aimed at one of their number by a Covenant-breaking State’.”

According to the “News-Chronicle” the previous French assurance is considered too evasive. The newspaper adds: “M. Laval’s view, it is understood, will be that the British naval reinforcements were sent to the Mediterranean before the League reached any decision, therefore the fleet is not there under League mandate and is not in a position to enforce sanctions, apparently meaning that, in the event of an Italian attack. no French help can be expected.”

“Sir George Clerk, British Ambassador, in presenting the British Note,” says the “Chronicle,” stressed in the strongest terms the British view that full and complete French cooperation with the League was necessary, in other words, M. Laval must finally decide whether the League is of greater importance to France than her friendship with Italy.”

CRISIS IN ANGLO-FRANCO POLICY.

LONDON, Oct. 16. The “Sun-Herald” news service says that of even more significance than immediate activities at Geneva are revelations that the French policy towards Britain and Italy has reached an unexpected crisis following exchanges of opinion among the three countries. Britain’s tolerance towards M. Laval’s manoeuvres is becoming exhausted. The policy in official quarters has been to reaffirm AngloFrench solidarity, despite repeated charges from correspondents at Geneva that M. Lava] is inclined to betray the Covenant, but it is disclosed by the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent that the French Premier has received an official intimation from Britain on similar lines to Sir Austen Chamberlain’s statement to the “Paris Soil 1 ,” pointing out that the moment for choice cannot longer be delayed. The French Government' a few days earlier received a profoundly disturbing inquiry from the Italian Government, which, contrary to earlier assurances given by Signor Mussolini, notified Paris of its misgivings regarding Italy’s ability to defend Brenner Pass in the event of German aggression across the frontier. Italy sought assurances of French assistance in such an eventuality and sought a specific statement as to what forces France would be prepared immediately to send to the spot. The “Daily Telegraph” correspondent comments: ‘'l have the best reasons for stating that the inquiry shocked the French Government. It is felt that the Franco-Italian military accord, by which France completely demilitarised the FrancoItalian frontier, is valueless, particularly because the agreement was never completed by its logical counterpart—namely, an Italian-Yugoslavian military understanding. ” M. Laval’s position grows more difficult with the approaching reassembly of Parliament due to both the home and international situations. The names of possible successors have already been canvassed. The “Echo de Paris” reflects the anxiety regarding the possibility of a clash at Geneva over sanctions, with France’s Little Entente Allies deserting her and backing Britain with Russia and the Balkan Entente.

TURKEY LOYAL TO LEAGUE

BIG LOSS ON EXPORT TRADE By Telegraph—Copyright —Press As. LONDON, Oct. If. A Constantinople correspondent says that Turkey’s attitude regarding sanctions is loyal adherence to the League’s decisions, but without haste or enthusiasm. Turkish exports to Italy are main’ ly coal, cereals and tobacco, and are about 20 per cent, of the total Turkish export. The loss of such a market would upset the trade balance, and economic experts are studying the problem. Local banks have already stopped credit on goods destined for Italy.

TWO SEAPLANES CRASH

FIVE ITALIANS KILLED By Telegraph—Copyright—Press Assn ROME, Oct. 17. It has just been revealed that five Italian airmen were killed on October 10 when two seaplanes en route to Leghorn for night flying exercises crashed into the Tyrrenian Sea.