DIPLOMATIC TALKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 129, 2 June 1937, Page 11

DIPLOMATIC TALKS

BRITAIN AND FRANCE

AVERTING DEVELOPMENTS

LONDON, June 1,

The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says that official circles indicate that France will refrain from action until facts and implications of the incident under international law. are established. .

Meanwhile it is intended to act in the closest connection with Britain. The British Ambassador (Sir Eric Phipps) has already consulted the Prime Minister (M. Leon Blum), who conferred with the Russian and Spanish Ambassadors.

It is generally felt that even if Spanish aircraft were at fault, the shelling of Almeria was an inexcusably savage reprisal. The "Daily Mail" says that the British and French Governments are in active communication by telephone considering means to avert further developments. They are also co-operating in an attempt to obtain an undertaking from the Spanish Government that there will be no repetition of the bombing of warships.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Eden) sent a message to Valencia emphasising that international peace might be gravely strained in the event of a recurrence.

Hi?, message followed ,an hour's interview with the German Ambassador (Herr yon Ribbentrop), who said that Germany did not intend to continue reprisals.

Mr. Eden said that he hoped he would be able to obtain a guarantee regarding non-recurrence, which would

satisfy Italy and Germany, thus making possible the maintenance of the Non-intervention Committee. A message from Paris states that lowing to rumours about the activities of French warships an official report announces that only normal movements are being carried on.