STANDING FIRM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1939, Page 5

STANDING FIRM

FRANCE NOT CEDING INCH OF TERRITORY

NOR A SINGLE RIGHT.

PRIME MINISTER’S BROADCAST.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PARIS, March 29. I

M Daladier in his broadcast address (portion of which was reported yesterday) said that France wanted peace, but if war was imposed or became the alternative between freedom and dishonour the whole nation would arise to defend its liberty.

He had sought full powers because it was necessary to take rapidly and silently exceptional measures for the defence of the country. France had listened calrhly to noisy claims because she knew that negotiations could only reveal that she was in the right. France’s position had been made clear. “We will not cede an inch of territory nor a single one of our rights,’’ he declared.

M Daladier described charges of illtreatment of Italians in Tunisia as inventions, and referred to 900.000 Italians living in France who had not complained. Referring to Munich, he said that France had not ceased to show evidence of goodwill toward Germany, but consequent on events in Czechoslovakia she had been dealt a very severe blow. Her persistent. efforts none could deny. War would be a catastrophe for all nations.

“In the name of France.” he proceeded, “I invite the collaboration of all Powers which, like ourselves, are ready to collaborate for the maintenance of peace, but who would rise against aggression with one bound. I know that these words find a brotherly echo in the hearts of friendly nations in Europe and across the Channel, even across the Atlantic.

SPEECH PRAISED

COMMENT IN BRITAIN. DOOR HAS BEEN LEFT OPEN. (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, March 30. The British Press praises the speech of the French Prime Minister, M. Daladier. ../ “The Times” says he has left the door open. The onus of proposing a basis for discussion rests with Italy, but the basis should not be difficult to find. The paper suggests that Italy’s claims are likely to include a free zone in Jibuti, a share in the management of the Addis Ababa railway, cheaper Suez Canal tolls and seats on the canal board.

ITALIAN NOTE PUBLICATION OF TEXT. 1935 AGREEMENTS REPUDIATED. PARIS, March 30. The text of the Italian Note handed by Count Ciano to the French Ambassador on December 17 shows that the French Government on December 2 desired to know whether Italy considered that the agreements of 1935 were still in force and still served as the basis of Franco-Italian relations. The agreements referred to comprised a treaty for the settlement of reciprocal interests in Africa, and a series of instruments related thereto.

Exchange of ratifications did not follow, and negotiations were never even begun for a special convention regarding Italians in Tunisia, so the treaty was never completed. France’s attitude to the Abyssinian campaign certainly was not in conformity with the intention of the agreements, which were never put into force and thus were made null and void. Moreover, they were overreached by history. The Italian Note describes sanctions as altering the general political situation and also the constitution of the Empire, creating new rights and interests. It says that in these conditions the agreement could not form the basis of French and Italian relations, which must be examined again if improvement was desired.

The French Government replied on December 25 pointing out the application of the agreements had been started. Italy being ceded 2500 shares in the Addis Ababa railway company, and in various negotiations till as late as April 22, 1938, the agreements were taken as valid.

The Note concluded by referring to France’s moderating influence in Geneva regarding Italian action in Abyssinia. concerning which Signor Mussolini on several occasions expressed his appreciation.

STANDING BY CLAIMS ITALY NOT TO BE A PRISONER , IN MEDITERRANEAN. SPEECH BY MUSSOLINI. (■Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, March 30. A message from Cosenza, in southern Italy, says Signor Mussolini, during a speech on a southern tour said: “Pacts or no pacts, we will never resign ourselves to remaining prisoners in the Mediterranean. Italy is ready to stand up for her claims. Speeches are mere words unless accompanied by deeds.” REASONS & THEMES AN ITALIAN ADMISSION. BREACH REMAINS UNBRIDGED. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) ROME, March 30. Signor Virgino admits that the Italian Note of December 17 did not contain proposals or conditions but .reasons and themes for discussion. He added: "France wants to maintain an adamant 'never’ and M. Daladier demonstrated a desire to shut the halfopen door. We take note of this attitude but Italy is not impatient. In the meantime the breach mentioned by Signor Mussolini on Sunday remains unbridged.”