Evening star., 1935-10-17

would not 90 to the aid of France on
the continent if the French failed to
cooperate in the Mediterranean.
Just what Frances answer to Great
Britain will be is not, Of course
definitely known as yet, and it was
actually reported that Premier Laval
had told Ambassador Sir George
Russell Clerk of Great Britain that
the presence of British warships in the
Mediterranean was unnecessary.
If the British and Italian fleets
clash under present circumstances,
said a report attributed to authorized
circles" France would refuse to con-
slider 1t automatically a case OF Italian
aggression, but, rather, new incident
requiring the Leagues determination
OF the aggreSsor.
This response, supposedly given the
British request that France definitely
state her position, was regarded by the
French press as leaving a critical
divergence between the French and
the British positions.
However, officials attempted to
minimize the crisis saying: THE
governments are on excellent terms"
The situation was described as
"dark," nevertheless. in official cir
cles as the result Of Great Britain's
stiffness" and MusSolini's failure to
offer a compromise proposal.
Premier Lavals unwillingness Ito
follow Great Britain blindly" was at
tributed to French fears that the Brit
ish would try a blockade, which would
lead to war, although officials said
that Great Britain had promised to do
nothing beyond what was authorized
within the League.
At Geneva, the French refused to
consider blockade, since they regard
such a measure as a military sane
ton and have indicated unwillingness
to embark on military measures
against Italy.
Premier Laval plans to lay the prob
lem of going the whole way with
Great Britain before his cabinet, usu-
ally well-informed sources said.
France Must Choose.
The British governments refusal to
withdraw its warships from the Med
iterranean and its success in pushing
sanctions through the League of Ma
tions were regarded in these quarters
as putting choice between Britain
and Italy squarely up to the French.
Expressed British doubts as to
French support, despite previous as
surances by Premier Laval in this re-
spect, caused most of the French press
to advise maintenance of an entente
cordiale" with London lest France lost
British aid in any future European
difficulties.
The British were reported dissatis-
fed with Laval's earlier assurances Of
French aid If the British fleet were
attacked in the Mediterranean while
enforcing League efforts to cut short
1talys war on Ethiopia.
The premier was quoted by an au-
thoritative source as having told Sir
George Clerk that France was unable
to make any specific promises unless
it was consulted first on any British
action involved.
Lavars efforts to bring Great Brit
ain and Italy together for peaceful
settlement of the crisis arising from
the Fascist warfare in Ethiopia ended
in a deadlock.
Authoritative sources said the Brit
ish Ambassador told Laval of his gov
ernment's decision yesterday to keep
its fleet massed in the Mediterranean.
while the Italian Ambassador, Vittorio
Cerruti, brought Premier Mussolini's
refusal to negotiate as long as the
British warships maintained their po-
Sitions.
Laval Losing Sanctions Race.
Laval, desperately seeking peace
full solution to the problem. was con-
sidered by informed circles to be
running a losing race against Anthony
Eden of England, pressing for drastic
application Of sanctions against Italy.
These sources said the premier's
probings into the crisis failed even
to produce formal proposals likely to
serve as basis Of negotiations.
With both Britain and Italy cling
ing tightly to their PRINCIPLES. IL was