GOAL OF PEACE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 89, 9 January 1935, Page 9

GOAL OF PEACE

Rome Agreement Great Step Forward FRANCE AND ITALY Policy in Europe and Colonies AUSTRIAN INDEPENDENCE (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 7. A Franco-Italian accord was signed at Rome this evening by Signor Mussolini and M. Laval, French Foreign Minister. Further messages state that the pact, which was signed in the Venice Palace, consists of three main agreements with additional protocols. These agreements and protocols are regarded as the greatest move for general European peace since the World War. They include a Franco-Italian agreement on colonial

affairs; a general pact lor the Danubian basin with a guarantee of Austria’s independence, and, thirdly, a general consultative policy in the interests of European peace. In addition, there are several other documents which have for their aim x the creation of an atmosphere of peace among European nations. ' An agreement in principle, both on Austrian and African questions, was announced in Rome early this morning as the result of negotiations between Signor Mussolini and M. Laval. Conversations, began early on Saturday morning and continued throughout the week-end. The French Foreign Secretary also paid a courtesy visit to Sir Eric Drummond. British , Ambassador at Rome. With regard to Central European problems it is understood that provision is made in the first place for asserting the necessity for the political independence of Austria. This convention, it is stated, will be signed in the first instance by France and Italy alone, and it is proposed to extend it at the second stage to States bordering on Austria, including Germany. Later it would be open to the assent of other States, including Rumania and Poland. ■ The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says that this convention will be complementary to a general pact under which the Danubian States will agree to abstain from interference in each others’ internal affairs. News of the Rome accord has been received with particular satisfaction in London, where the progress of negotiations has been’followed with special interest, and throughout the exchanges which preceded the negotiations the British Government kept in the closest touch with Paris and with Rome. The negotiations were referred to in a New Year broadcast speech by the Prime Minister on Saturday night as one of the favourable signs in the international situation. He said: “The New Year will be marked by great advances in the tranquillity of Europe.” ‘ The newspapers-look forward with confidence to the visit to London of MM. Flandin, French Premier, and Laval as an occasion for taking the next step in this task of European-ap-peasement. • ■’ (Note on Page 7.} FRANCE DELIGHTED Diplomatic Triumph TERRIJTORYvFOR ITALY Paris, January 7. France is delighted with the consummation of the Franco-Italian rap prochement involving European cooperation and a solution of colonial difficulties. Italy receives several concessions in Northern Africa, including an • area of 800 by 100 miles north of Tibesti and a smaller area near Bab el Mandeb, not including the harbour of Obok. Italian residents in Tunis retain their neutrality for* two generations; Italy is allowed to purchase several thousand shares in the DjiboutiAddis Ababa railway. * The agreement is considered a diplomatic triumph for M. Laval and Signor Mussolini. The Little Entente’s feeling toward Italy has improved. Hungary is reported to be satisfied. It is believed that Germany is unlikely to stand aloof, but Germany’s answer to the Rome proposals is not expected' before the Saar plebiscite. RECEIVED BY POPE French Foreign Minister Rome. January 7. The Pope received M. Laval,'the firs’ French statesman thus honoured‘since Napoleon. PEACE PROSPECTS Mr. MacDonald Hopeful (British Official Wireloss.) Rugby, January 7, The Prime Minister’s New Year broadcast comprehensively reviewed the outlook at home and abroad. In the international field the work done in 1934 and particularly in its closing week had materially brightened the prospects for peace. On arriving at London to-day from Lossiemouth, the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, expressed the view that the outlook both at home and internationally was really better, and that the New Year could be faced with increased confidence. The Prime Minister was visited by several Ministerial colleagues, and by Sir Maurice Hankey, Secretary to the Cabinet and to the Committee of Imperial Defence, who has just come back from Australia. New Zealand and Canada. DEEP SATISFACTION Sir John Simon Pleased (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 7. The return of Sir John Simon, British Foreign Secretary, to London was today delayed by fog at Paris, which stopped flying. The Foreign Secretary left later by train.

He expressed deep personal satisfaction at the news of the agreement between France and Italy. “Peace will be all the more strengthened,” he said.