CANNES CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1922, Page 2

CANNES CONFERENCE.

ALBI KALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION., , ANGLO-FRENCH PACT. | LONDON, Jan. 10. The terms of the Anglo-French Pact have been drafted, and copies have been sen! to London and Paris. ; Press correspondents state that Italy and Belgium are anxious to join the : alliance, but M. Briand is opposing any I widening of its scope. It is also reJ ported that Lloyd George is anxious to publish the details of the Pact, in order to show the scope of the proposed alliance, but M. Briand is still hopeful of a modification, Italy considers''a purely Franco-Bri-tish treaty would certainly result in the erection of a counter defensive al- ! liance, which Italy and possibly Germany would be forced tol join, j ‘ NEAR EAST PROBLEMS. I It is understood the Tangiers problem and that of the Angora Turkish '• State are being considered in connec- | tion with the pact. i The submarine question, however, is the subject of a separate memorandum. 1 DOMINIONS AND PACT. CANNES, Jan 11. j Britain will be unable to conclude - the Pact with France without referring it to the Dominions.

FRENCH OPPOSE PACT. ""’"PARIS, Jan 11. The newspapers are extremely critical regarding the Anglo-French Pact. They declare that it emanates from 1 Mr Lloyd George in exchange for France’s acceptance of his plan for an economic conference at Genoa, which will help to revive Germany’s prosperity, and will enable her to exploit Russia. It is also feared that the Pact may involve a reduction of the French Army. Newspaper sask: What aid can England with a' small army give, to justify France in diminishing her own means of protection against aggressors?

EXTENSION OF PACT. CANNES, Jan 11. The French Premier, M. Briand, in an interview said that Britain must confirm to the policy fixed by the Dominions at the Imperial Conference. He therefore refuses to conclude a military agreement with France covering "anything other than France's eastern frontier. Tt is for Britain, he says, to de/~ cide whether the Anglo-French shall he extended to Italy. wishes to conclude with Her Italian neighbour all the economic and political agreements which are likely to strength en the bonds between the two countries. There had arisen" at Cannes the conception of a vast policy, embracing all the frontiers of Europe that would he susceptible to an outbreak of war. M. Briand continued:. —“A far-reach-ing agreement, for compelling all the countries summoned to Genoa*., to guarantee to each' other the integrity of their frontiers. Such an agreement, when added tri the Anglo-French agreement, would render the possibility of war very distant.