Evening star., 1938-02-27
PAR|SSEENA|D|NC
F0UR-P0WERPACT
Britain Considers DeIbos
Statement Outcome of
Phipps' Visit.
~ the Associated Press.

LONDON. Feb. 26.-Great Britain
saw France rapidly aligning herself
tonight with Prime Minister Neville
Chamberlain's attempt to ease Eu-
ropeAn tensions with . four.nation
agreement which might crack the
exclusive cooperation between Italy
and Germany
Declaration of Foreign Minister
Yvon Delbos in the French Parlia-
ment that Austrian independence was
essential" for peace and his promise
to keep faith with Czechoslovakia,
Frances Central European ally, were
considered to be the outcome Of a
visit from Sir Eric Phipps, British
Ambassador to Paris
Real Aims Believed Stated.
It was believed he informed Premier
Camille Chautemps and NJ Delbos
last night OF the real aims Of Mr..
Chamberlain's move for talks with
Mussolini in Rome next week at
tempting to gain Mediterranean Sc
curity and his ambition to bind Ger
many by four-power pact to re-
epect existing frontiers
Some observers saw signs Germany
herself was beginning to have mis-
givings over the meaning Of MIR.
Chamberlain's move toward an
agreement with II Duce.
In the Reich press there were
references to possible swing In Eng
land back to Anthony Eden. who re-
signed as foreign secretary rather
than support Mr.. Chsmberlain's pol
icy, unless the Prime Minister'S pro-
gram bears fruit soon In some agree
ment with Italy.
Such swing back within three
months is considered . possibility by
many British political quarters, in
cluding not . few conservative sec.
tions.
Pact Expected to BE Rushed.
But Mr.. Chamberlain. realizing his
political future probably Is at stake,
was expected to rush through an at
tempt to get II Duce to agree to terms
on support for Austria. thus virtually
splitting the Rome Berlin axis over
oCAAd4A 0AlHAOAOAl0 W uOlIlUlhtC UIlC
nation wedged between Germany and
Italy.
There was no question the Prime
Minister was fighting to save Austria
from further NaM encroachments.
Mr.. Chamberlain was understood
to hold it would not be necessary
even to talk about Austria II Musso-
lini helps him get Germany into a
four-power treaty linking Britain,
France, Germany and Italy and bind
ing Hitler against interference In
Central Europe.
Czechoslovakia is a different matter.
Mr.. Chamberlain knows a German in
vasion of tiny Czechoslovakia would
imperil European peace He was un-
derstood to share the long standing be-
lief here the French would march"
If Praha were threatened.
British Support Reported.
Reliable sources also declared even
the prot German members of Britain's
cabinet had approved this French at
titude and declared willingness to sup
port it at the recent cabinet meeting
which considered Hitler's meeting with
Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg at
Berchtesgaden.
Mr.. Chamberlain's new foreien sec.
retary. Viscount Halifax, again re-
celved Britain's Ambassador to italy,
the Earl Of Perth. to discuss the OPEN
ing of conversations in Rome, which
probably will take the greater part Of
next week.
Informed sources said Egypt would
be kept appraised of all matters con-
corning her that come up in the Rome
discussions since Cairo fears Italy Is
seeking a share in control of the Sues
Canal, . point vital to Egyptian de-
fenses.
Rally Fight on Chamberlain.
Meanwhile British oposition parties
and the League of Nations Union
rallied supporters for . nation wide
campaign against Mr.. Chamberlain
and in favor of his discarded foreign
secretary, Mr.. Eden.
They were heartened by Mr. Eden's
speech to his constituents reafiirming
his stand last night despite his re-
fusal to lead them in opposing Mr..
Chamberlain's policy.
Maj. Clement Attlee and other labor
leaders announced huge public pro-
test meeting in London Monday, while
180 organizations affiliated with the
international peace campaign said
their representatives would visit the
House Of Commons to lobby against
Mr. Chamberlain and in favor Of .
general election.