FRANCE AND BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 92, 16 October 1934, Page 9

FRANCE AND BRITAIN

POLICY FOR PEACE

FOREIGN MINISTERS' NOTES

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received October 10, 11 a.m.)

RUGBY, October 15

The following message has been received by Sir John Simon from Monsieur Laval, tho new. French Minister for Foreign Affairs: —"It was not until after your dc-parturo from Paris that I was entrusted with the direction of the foreign policy of France, and I regret keenly that I was unablo to meet you during the few hours that you spent here. I would have been glad to tell you personally how happy I feel at being called upon to collaborate with you in the interests of tho maintenance of peace. I have no douht that our coiiunon efforts will be assured of success, if in tho accomplishment of my task I can hope to enjoy the samo personal 'confidence with which you honoured my eminent and lamented predecessor."

Sir John Simon has sent tho following reply: "I thank your Excellency most heartily for your friendly message, which I warmly reciprocate. Tho tragic death of Monsieur Barthou has removed a statesman with whose work for international peace I was happy to be associated, but I rejoice to think that I shall find in your Excellency another collaborator, already perso?ially known to me from our previous work together, with whom I trust to bo associated in dealing with tho grave problems of tho time in a spirit which will make for world peace and will maintain in their full effect the friendly relations between our two countries."

The British Ambassador in Paris (Sir George Clerk) today called on Monsieur Laval, tho new French Foreign Minister.. The Ambassador requested him to convey messages of sympathy from the Prime Minister (Mr. Eamsay Mac Donald) and tho Foreign Secretary (Sir John Simon) to Madame Poincaro on the death of her husband.