FRANCE AND ITALY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 5 December 1927, Page 5

FRANCE AND ITALY

BRIAND SUGGESTS CONFERENCE TO CLEAR UP MISUNDERSTANDINGS. Rugby, bee. 2. ‘‘The Times” characterises the position reached in Franco-Italian relations as the result of a series of trivial incidents and says the risks are so plain as to suggest an immediate remedy. Tb<' attitude of the Uzecho-Slovukian Minister in keep, aloof from the extremist element is approved by “The Times,” and JI. Briaud is described as putting the whole question in a new perspective by bis invitation to Signor Mussolini to come to u. frank understanding on tile Franco-Italian differences ami his suggestion of a meeting to clear up misunderstandings. The newspaper adds; — “This statesmanlike proposal is calculated to appeal to Signor Mussolini, who, absorbed as he has been of kite in the immense tusk of internal reconstruction, may welcome this opportunity of making a fresh contribution to the general well-being of Europe. It cannot be forgotten that he is a signatory of the Locarno treaty. The present apparent antagonism may be turned to great profit if it is used as a heaven-sent occasion for carrying through such a thorough and farreaching agreement between France and Italy as shall reduce the recent unpleasan episodes to oblivion.” THE ONLY COURSE—FRIENDSHIP. Paris, Dec. 3. Signor Mussolini interviewed by the “ Excelsior ” representative, explicitly authorised a statement that between France and Ltaly. in cases of difficulty, there was only one. course, friendship. Any other policy would bo suicidal for both countries.—(A. and N.Z.)