France And Italy

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19463, 31 December 1934, Page 7

France And Italy

FINAL PACT PROPOSALS AUSTRIA’S INDEPENDENCE. SOME DOUBTFUL POINTS. United' Press Assr.. —Elec. Tel. Copyrlfftit LONDON, Dec. 20. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Express states that final proposals for a Franco-Italian agreement have 'been telegraphed to Rome by the French Foreign Minister, M. Laval. It is suggested that a protocol guaranteeing Austria’s independence should be signed by Italy, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Germany and Hungary, ‘as geographical neighbours; also by France and Rumania.

A second suggestion is that the signatories who are geographical neighbours should mutually guarantee their frontiers, and a third is that if Germany and Hungary prefer to reserve their attitude the signatures of Italy, Yugoslavia and Czecho-Slovakia should he secured and the protocol be left open to others. •It is sta'4'd that Czecho-Slovakia and Rumania already have, endorsed the proposals and a favourable reply is expected from Yugoslavia. Doubtful points are: Will Hungary surrender or suspend her revisionist policy? And will Italy accept stabilisation of the existing 'frontiers? Britain is so interested that the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, who is spending a holiday at Cannes, may cross the frontier to confer with Signor Mussolini.

LATER. 1 AGREEMENT REACHED. GREAT DIPLOMATIC ACHIEVEMENT. AUSTRIA’S STATUS GUARANTEED. United Press Assn.—filec. Tel. Copyright (Received E)ec. 31, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 30. The Observer’s diplomatic correspondent in an important exclusive article, states that although news cannot be given full official authority, it became known last night that ail agreement has been reached in Rome between Signor Mussolini and the French Ambassador, which constitutes by far the most Important achievement in 'European diplomacy for two years and it is likely to make a profound difference in the prospects for settled peace in Europe. It is understood the actual agreement was not signed, last night because some minor points of colonial interest are not yet settled, but. the major issue, safeguarding Austria’s independence by means of an international guarantee, is expressed in the form of categoric written agreement of which the text will he issued in a few days. GRATIFICATION IN LONDON. AIM OF BRITISH DIPLOMACY. . STABILISATION OF EUROPE. (Official Wireless.) (Received Dec. 31, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 30. Press despatches . from Rome and Paris reporting substantial progress towards a Franco-Italian agreement and the probability of an early visit to Rome by M. Laval (French Minister for Foreign Affairs) have created, an excellent impression in London. Special interest was taken in these negotiations, since British 'diplomacy, as is well-known, has for a considerable time been directed at facilitating by all means in its power the achievement of siucli an agreement as one of the essential factors in the stabilisation of the European situation.