M. DALADIER’S STERN WORDS TO ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 January 1939, Page 5

M. DALADIER’S STERN WORDS TO ITALY

France Ready to Defend Her Territory AND HER COMMUNICATIONS DEMONSTRATION OF NATIONAL UNANIMITY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PARIS, January 27. The Premier, M. Daladier, spoke stern words to Italy in the Chamber of Deputies today during the debate on Foreign affairs. He said that France had heard threatening words from Italy in complete calm. She had strength to enable her to receive such insults calmly. “Wherever French interests are concerned,” he said, “France must meet all demands with a categorical ‘No.’ Not an inch of territory will be ceded. France cannot tolerate any attempt against her territorial integrity, against her African or colonial Empire, or against her free communications, whether maritime or otherwise, between ' the metropolis and her Empire.” The deputies rose cheering thunderously. M. Daladier continued: “I am well aware of the gravity of the present circumstances when I affirm this. Our task tomorrow will be hard and formidable. I ask France to be unanimous in the defence of her material Empire and her ideals in a world in which force plays so large a part.” The Chamber again indulged in an outburst of patriotic enthusiasm. Then ended the long foreign affairs debate with the passing of a vote of confidence in the Government by 300 to 234 votes. After this the following motion was carried by 609 votes to nil, thus emphasising .that the whole nation is behind M. Daladier’s refusal of Italian claims: “That the Chamber approves of the Government’s declaration and is confident in its vigilance to maintain the integrity of the French Empire and the safety of Imperial routes.”