The Washington times., 1935-10-19
LONDON WAITS
! FOR WARAIR
T0CLEAR
French Reply Hailed
As Satisfactory
To Cabinet
CONTINUED from Page y

unlike those France gave Britain.
However conditional the French
reply was to Britain's query on the
matter Of French naval support
in the Mediterranean, it was
stated officially today that the
French note, handed to Britain
yesterday, has given great salts
faction" to the British cabinet.
The French note, it was stated,
has removed any misunderstand-
ing which hitherto had existed re-
garding French naval support in
the event the British fleet is at
tackled by admitting application Of
paragraph three, Article XVI, of
the League of Nations Covenant
Is automatic. This paragraph
provides for mutual aid among
League members in carrying out
League sanctions.
Africa Forgotten
The European situation in gen.
proved today in the view of the
British government as result Of
the Anglo-French and Anglo
Italian diplomatic conversations.
The foreign office circles point
ed out in particular there was no
eral and the Mediterranean Situa-
tion in particular was greatly i'm.
connection between the talks Of
Premier Benito MuSSolini and Sir
Eric Drummond, British ambas-
Sador to Rome, and the ap-
proaches Of Premier Pierre Laval
Of France to MuSSolini.
The British declined to admit
they were aware officially of any
general peace proposals outside of
those being considered at Geneva.
1t was significant, perhaps, that
all the British good cheer today
dealt with easing of the European
crisis. There was hardly q men,
ton Of East Africa and the plight
Of Emperor Halle SelaSsie, whose
realm was being overrun by in
vading Italian forces.
Troops Also Remain
Under the present circm.
stances there was no indication
Britain intends to reduce her
naval forces in the Mediterranean,
and neither was there any indi-
cation of any immediate reduc-
tion of Italian forces in Libya.
While Britain Spokesmen de-
clared there would be no bargain
ing about italian troops in Libya,
it was admitted cagily that re-
duction of these forces would be
regarded in London as q "SatiS-
factory gesture" making it clear
that Italian misunderstanding in
regard to British interests in the
Mediterranean had been dispelled.
When the danger in this part
Of the world has been removed
or materially diminished then
Britain could reconsider reduc-
tion of her naval reinforcements,
It was said officially.
It was suggested this might
take the form of withdrawing
two warships-perhaps the great
battleshipS Hod and Renown-
but the situation for the present
has not developed far enough for
any decision to be taken.
May Remain Secret
Foreign Minister Sir Samuel
Hoare and other cabinet minis
ters are studying the French
note, but so far no arrangements
have been made to publish it. and
it was possible it might not be
made public at all.
Regarding the Italo-British sit
uation, it was stated the tension
had been eaSed by assurances
Drummond gave Mussolini, clear
ing up dangerous misunder-
standing regarding the British at
titude and the purpc of the
British fleet concentration in the
Mediterranean.
This misunderstanding had re-
suited in a grave threat of war
between italy and Britain.
It was hoped in official quarters
that the tension might be further
relaxed by further diplomatic
talks.
Britain and Italy will issue a
Joint communique for publication
tomorrow containing mutual as.
Surances Of peaceful intensions in
the Mediterranean.
The British Position
Officials declined to confirm |
reports that the Italo-British COM
munique would be supplemented |
by any statement regarding Brit
aims intention of reducing the
Mediterranean ;,lceS.
It was understood the commu.
nique will include British decla-
ration that Britain never raised |
the question of application of mill
tary sanctions againS Italy, and |
that she does not intend to take
any measures going beyond col
lective action through the League.
This was taken to imply, as
Drummond previously has in.
formed II Duce, that Britain
neither will close tie Suez Canal
nor declare a blockade against !
Italy without cooperation of |
other League members.
The communique also was ex-
pected to contain an expression
of Italian qualification at the re-
affirmation of Britain's deter
mination to take no isolated ac-
tion.
A long telegram from Drum
mond was received at the foreign
office, giving in detail Premier
MusSolini's attitude. The text was
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