BRITAIN AND FRANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1922, Page 3

BRITAIN AND FRANCE

AUSTRALIAN AND, N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

LONDON, Feb. 3. The “Daily Chronicle” states that the Anglo-French negotiations have

reached an acute stage, resulting in an exchange of communications on the Anglo-French pact, and the Near East.

Therein M. Poincaire sets out the French point of view on International affairs. Britain (says the paper) makes it plain that the French view is not her.

M. Poincaire lias requested, regarding the pact, firstly, that there be an-

nual Franco-Britisli consultations upon the general military situation in Europe ; secondly, an extension of the British guarantee of French soil against attack to include a guarantee against an attack in the Rhineland.

The British reply (says the “Daily Chronicle”),has refused to go beyond Mr Lloyd George’s original offer.

France’s first amendment would transform the pact into a military ' instru-

ment for the reconstruction of Europe on an armed basis. 'The inclusion of

the Rhineland in the pact would mean that Britain was shouldering as her own an obligation which, under the Versailles Treaty, is common to all the Allies. It also would create a state of affairs wherein Britain might find herself automatically at the Avar where a

reasonable interpretation of facts, or the common sense opinion of Europe as a whole could find a peaceable solution Britain’s reply regarding the Near East lays doAvn a principle that until “absolute solidarity” is readied between Britain, France and Italy, there is no prospect of any solution.