Evening star., 1939-03-23
Paris Feeling Grows
Settlement IsNow
Possible With Italy
Negotiations Believed
Nearer Reality After
Address by King
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press. F...
PARIS, March GA feeling
Italy and France now could nego-
tiate settlement of their differ
ences gained ground today in Paris
following King Vittorio Emanuele's IS
speech in Rome.
The belief was expressed in high
quarters that the Kings statement
that questions pending between the
two countries were outlined in the
Italian note of last December II
materially advanced the possibility
Of negotiations.
The December note, after declar-
Ing no longer valid the Laval-Mus-
solini accord of 1885 which regulated
various differences, notably in re-
gard to Tunisia, suggested that the
two governments get together to dis
cuss their problems as whole.
1t was felt here that by referring
to the note the Italian King in ef-
feet renewed that suggestion.
His speech was studied carefully
but no official reaction was offered
in the absence Of Foreign Minister
Georges Bonnet, who is with Presi-
dent Albert Lebrun in London.
Embarrassment caused by Spanish
Nationals. Generalissimo Francisco
frances delay in receiving Marshal
Henri Petain, French Ambassador
to Burgos, meanwhile, was relieved
Apparently reliable reports from
Burgos said the Ambassador would
be asked to call on the generalissimo
tomorrow or Saturday.
Concentrates on Italy.
The French government concen-
trated on hurried efforts to win Italy
from Germany either by a show OF
force or diplomatic negotiations.
Diplomatic observers said that i'm
mediate calling of an "anti-aggres-
sion" conference of France, Britain,
Soviet Russia, Poland and the Bal
kan states would show that the two
western powers meant business.
Such a plan is under discussion in
London.
They said the conference might
convince Italy that it would be dam
gerouS to continue to tie herself to
Germany's expansionist policy. At
the same time these observers said
France might make a general offer
to discuss any problem separating
France and Italy which would give
Premier Mussolini a face-saving
"out."
There was an appearance Of speed
In the British-French negotiations
now underway in London concerning
the conference that seemed geared
to the necessity Of making contact
with Italy before Mussolini's speech
next Sunday-the 2t0h anniversary
of FaSciSm-in which it was felt II
Duce would outline Italy's future
policy.
Should the French British ma
neuvers fail, however, and should
Mussolini make formal claims
against France. the machinery was
being prepared for an immediate
answer.
Premier Daladier let it be known
that he was planning a radio speech
to the nation early next week after
Mussolini's address. Government
circles said it would deal with the
international situation.
Problem Difficult.
Should French-Italian negotia-
tions be opened diplomatic observ-
ers said the problem still would be
difficult. They pointed out France
would have to pay some price for
1talys friendship and that from
Mussolini'S point of view the price
would have to be high enough to
add internal prestige to his re-
gime.
Another complicating factor was
the presence of Russia in the COL
lective security negotiations. Po-
htical observers said France was