Evening star., 1938-04-15

Nth determination to solpe Frances
financial and labor troubles and to
speed rearmament in the face of
Europe's dissensions. NeU gouern-
ment has ShotDn inclination to fol-
lou Prime Minister Neuille Cham
berlain of Great Britain in dealing
tor peace With the dictators.
By lhe Associated Press.
PARIS, April l5.-France will be-
gin conversations with Italy next week,
sources close to the foreign office said
today-in an effort to WOO Mussolini
from his diplomatic alliance with
Germany.
Quickly following successful Anglo
Italian negotiations, to be concluded
by the signing of an agreement Sat-
urday in Rome, Premier Edouard Da-
Ladder hoped to arrive at a similar
agreement before the League Of Ma
tions Council meets May 9.
This would allow France to fol-
low the British lead in discussions be-
fore the League on Ethiopia's status
under Italian domination.
Other Likely Topics.
Besides recognition Of II Duces Al
rican empire other specific questions
which probably would be discussed be-
tween Rome and Paris include the
Mediterranean status quo, foreign VOL
unteers in Spain and financial ar
rangements concerning the French
owned railroad from Djibouti to Adds
Ababa.
The decision to negotiate with Italy
was understood to have been taken at
the first meeting OF the powerful inner
council Of cabinet ministers since Par
lament armed them with virtually
dictatonal powers.
Strike Settlement Gains.
NJ Daladier gained in his effort to
settle strikes interfering with rearma-
ment when aviation workers and en-
ployers signed collective bargaining
contract under supervision of Pierre
Jacomet, permanent undersecretary of
the defense ministry, whom M. Dala-
dier had named as superarbiter.
At the same time, striking employees
of privately owned arplane motors
plants agreed Ito conform strictly to
M. Daladier's demand that they evac-
uate the factories and return to work
next Tuesday after the Easter holidays.
10000 to Return to Jobs.
M. Daladier's fight against the cur
rent strike wave seemed won when
the Executive Committee of the Metal
Workers Union announced it would
send 10000 strikers back to work
next Tuesday in compliance with the
Governments demand.
Speedy solution Of differences be-
tween the metal workers and en-
ployers-mostly concerned with COL
lective bargaining contracts-Was fore
seen. although strike leaders had not
given orders for evacuation of more
than 100 factories occupied by strikers
Arbitration of disputes was expected
to get under way at once
The Metal Workers Union said the
government proposals were approved
as constituting bases for immediate
solutions Of controversies in the in
dustry"
Hopes TO Follow Chamberlain.
With Frances industrial wheels
once more turning and armament
again proceeding, M. Daladier hoped
to strengthen his position to pursue
British Prime Minister Neville Cham
berlain's realistic" foreign policy.
He was believed to want talks with
Italy rushed through before Chancel-
lor Adolf Hitler of Germany visits
Mussolini May 3.
With French negotiations concluded
and the Anglo-Italian friendship pact
to be signed Saturday, the three war
time allies again would be working in
unison
The French belief that Mussolini
was not altogether pleased by Nazi
annexation of Austria and the swift
conclusion OF Anglo-Italian negotia-
tions convinced M. Daladier the time
was ripe for solution of Franco-Ital-
ian problems in the Mediterranean.
A definite French proposal, 1t was
was only awaiting selec-
ton of an envoy who would remain
as Ambassador after conclusion of q
pact with Italy.