MAY BE PRELUDE TO WIDER SETTLEMENT

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

MAY BE PRELUDE TO WIDER SETTLEMENT

English Press Views on

Rome Pact

PROBLEM OF GERMAN REARMAMENT By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received January 9, 12.5 a.m.) London, January 8. “The Times” says that it is no exaggeration to say that the Franco-Italian agreement favourably changes the atmosphere of Mediterranean politics and ought to result ultimately in a solution of the Franco-Italian naval problem. It is hoped also that it will be the prelude to a wider settlement which would include even the thorny problem of German rearmament. The “Daily Express” foreshadows that the agreement will possibly result in Germany’s return to the League and the Disarmament Conference. Germany will be asked to sign a pact guaranteeing no interference with Austria in return for recognition of her rearmament. France as part of the new accord may agree to the reopening of the disarmament question on the basis of the Italian memorandum of January, 1934, under which Germany’s claim for an army of 300,000 would be accepted, while armaments of other Powers would be»sfabilised at existing figures. The "Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent says that it is understood that the Franco-Italian protocols contain a declaration that the parties hope to reach an agreement on limitation of armaments. Signor Mussolini intends to take up the problem actively in the near future.