PEACE IN EUROPE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1922, Page 5

PEACE IN EUROPE.

. ANGLO-FRENCH PACT. AGREEMENT DRAFTED. r 1 DIRECTED AT GERMANY. , IF, REVENGE COMES. ... By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyrlgtt. Received Jan. 11, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 10. The Anglo-French pact has been drafted and copies sent to London and Paris.

Correspondents state that Italy and Belgium are anxious to join the alliance, but M. Briand is opposing any widening of its scope. Mr. 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 it purely a FrancoBritish treaty, and that it will certainly result in the creation of a counter defensive alliance, which Italy, and possibly Germany, will be forced to Join. It is understood the Tangiers problems and Angora are being considered in connection with the pact, while the submarine question is the subject of a separate memorandum. M. Briand, at the conclusion of the meeting of the Supreme Council, informed the Press that the newspapers were giving currency to the falsest of rumors. It was said in particular that with a view to reviving the guarantee of military aid in the form of an agreement, this was likely to be realised, thanks to the concessions France was disposed to make in respect o-f her national defence and the position the treaty gives her on the Rhine. “Nothing of this kind was touched upon in the conversations between myself and Mr. Lloyd George,” said M. Briand. “The only question diecussed has been whether it was to the interest of the two Powers that Germany should be confronted with the forces of Britain and France if she made an attempt at revenge.”—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A GREAT CONCEPTION. AGREEMENT BY ALL NATIONS. REDUCING DANGER OF WAR. Received Jan. 11, 8.5 p.m. Cannes, Jan. 11. M. Briand, interviewed, said: “Britain must conform to the policy fixed by the Dominions at the Imperial Conference, and she therefore refused to conclude a military agreement with Fran<?6 covering other than France - s Eastern frontier. It is -for Britain to decide whether the Anglo-French pact will be extended to Italy. France wishes to conclude "with her Italian neighbour all economic and political agreements.” There had arisen at Cannes a conception of a vast policy, embracing all the frontiers of Europe susceptible to an outbreak of war. M. Briand continued: ‘•’A far-reaching agreement has been envisaged, similar to the Pacific agreement, compelling all countries summoned to Genoa to guarantee the integrity of their frontiers. Such an agreement, when added to the Anglo-French agreement, would render the possibility of war very distant.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SOME FRENCH DOUBTS. CRITICISM OF THE PACT. Received Jan. 11, 7.30 p.m. Paris, Jan. 11. The newspapers are extremely critical regarding the Anglo-French pact, declaring it emanates from Mr. Lloyd George in exchange for France’s acceptance of his plan for the economic conference at Genoa, which will help to revive Germany’s prosperity and enable her to exploit Russia. It is also feared the pact mav involve a reduction in the French army. The newspapers ask what aid can England, with a small army, give to justify France diminishing her own means of protection against ag-gression.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Paris, Jan. 10.

In contrast with the recent dissatisfaction with the betfaviour of the Entente, the newspapers are jubilant at the progress of negotiations regarding a defensive pact. Le Temps urges that the agreement should cover aggression in the Channel, North Sea, and Atlantic. The Journal Des Debats wants the pact limited to Britain, France, Belgium, and perhaps Italy. It is officially announced that the rights of the British Dominions will ne fully reserved in connection with Franho-British arrangements which may be reached. —Reuter.

TO CONSULT DOMINIONS. Received Jan. 11, 7.30 p.m. Cannes, 'Jan. 11. Britain will be unable to conclude the pact with France without referring it to tie Dominions.—Aus-N.Z. Cable Assn.