FRENCH ALARM

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 19, 15 October 1937, Page 5

FRENCH ALARM

-Preit Assn.—

Italian Forces at Minorca SEA ROUTE MENACE Parist Insists on Time Limit to Talks on Spain MEDITERRANEAN MOVES

(By Telearaph-

.( jrisht.)

(Eeceived 15, 11.50 a.m.) PARIS, Oct. 14. M. Lebrun presided over an import* ant Cabinet meeting to which the de fence chiefs were aummoned. M. Delbos, Foreign Minister, outlined the contemplated Franco-British proposals regarding Spain, Cabinet unanimously mpproved the text Of a Note On them to Britain. Erance favours making Ihe Non-Intervention Committee talks as short as possible. Meanwhile, it is likely that consultations between French and British defence experts will take place. Britain recognises that it is of vital importapce that there ■hould be no threat to the French compunications. It is understood that the French Notf to Britain is extremely downright in tono regarding French policy in the Mediterranean and that it deelares unequivocably that Fr^nce agreed to rcfer the withdrawal of Volunteers to the Non-Intervention Committee ' solely at London's request. The discussions, it is stated, must be eonsidered a final effort. Dilatory methods must be firmly excluded. The London Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent says: "France makes it •lear that she cannot under any circumstances tolerate Italian occupation of Minorca, which would strike at the yery xoots of the French defence sys-

fem. Prompt reinforcements from 4frica are essential to the French military policy, and transporta pass between Sardinia and Minorca within sight of Minorca. "It has iong been an open secret that Majorca is strongly held by 200 ItaUan planes and a garrison and is a base for Italian warships," the correspohdent adds, "The French Government has not nuggested occupation of Minorca, but suggests that British and French warships should be stationed at POrt Mahon to watch developments. " A British Official Wireless message reports; A meeting of the Chainnan's Snb-Committee of the International Non*Intervention Committee has been c&llad for Saturday. The French and British representatives will make full itatements of the attitudes of their Governments regarding foreign intorTtntion in Spain, ' The countries represented on tho sub-committee are: Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Bnsria, Portngal, Sweden and Czeehoslovakia. A message from 'Bome states that the British decision favouring a meeting of the Non-Intervention Committee in respect to the situation in Spain is welcomed in Italian official eircles, which consider the decision as another triumph of Italian policy. A BerUn message says that German officials state that Germany will do averything possible to help a fresh non-intervention effort, but the proposed time limit is regarded as ridiculous and, in view of the diffienlties, will need a thorough examination.