Evening star., 1939-03-31
French Cabinet
Meets Tomorrow on
Pledge 10 Poland
Rumonion Trade Treoty
Signed to Counteroct
Reich Agreement
3y the Associated Press.

1y the Associated Press.
PARIS, March 31.-France today
signed a commercial accord with
Rumania and the French govern
ment. arranged for final discussion
tomorrow of the armed support
France could pledge to Poland
against German aggression.
I'm London Prime Minister
Chamberlain told the House Of
Commons France had joined
Britain in pledge OF military
aid to Poland)
The French-Rumanian accord, de-
signed as a check against Germany's
economic penetration of Southeast
ern Europe, was signed at the for
eign Office at 1920 pm. T:20 am,
E. S. T) by Foreign Minister Georges
Bonnet and Rumanian Ambassador
Georges Tatarescu.
Shortly before, that, President
Albert Lebrun had summoned the
cabinet to meet at 10 am. Is am,
E. s. I'd tomorrow to reach de-
cision on the measure of military
aid France would promise Poland If
the expanding Nazi state marched
against Polish territory.
Denies Economic .NIonopolies.
In the brief treaty-signing cere-
mony Tatarescu said that Rumania
had not and would never grant any
kind of economic monopoly on her
territory. Last week Rumania con-
cluded far-reaching f1ve-year eco
nomic pact with Germany, giving
the Reich important concessions in
trade and developments of Ru-
manian oil resources.
The Ambassador declared:
Recognizing that economic vas
salage transforms itself sooner or
later into political vassalage, Ru-
monia will defend her economic
independence with the same energy
with which she defends her political
independence and the integrity OF
her frontiers" -
France through the trade treaty
undertook to double her purchases
of Rumanian oil, to a value of nearly
100000 francs ($7.800,00O for the
coming year, and to slash 60 per
cent off her import duties on Ru-
manian agricultural produce.
At the same time France and
Rumania signed new cultural
treaty in Bucharest, providing for
the exchange of students and pro-
fessors and for cooperation in
theatrical and artistic enterprises.
Draft Lebrun" Move Begun.
The official convocation of the cab
met was issued coincidentally with
a draft Lebrun" movement which
political quarters hoped would in
duce the President to remain in
Office for another term as a dem
onstration of national unity.
Jules Jeanneney, as president of
the Senate, and former Premier
Herriot, in a personal capacity only
both urged Lebrun to stay. M
Daladier was expected to add his
support with a visit to Elysee
Palace. If Lebrun accepts, he will
be the first President to be re-
elected since Grevy in 1885.
The absence of any really violent
passages in Premier Mussoinis
speech today at Reggie were vel
coined here as a contribution OF
sorts to hopes for better French
Italian understanding.
Disappointment was expressed
however, over II Duce's failure to
take cue from Premier Daladier's S
Wednesday address by presenting
definite subjects for negotiation.
The French took the stand that
further word must be awaited from
Italy. Meanwhile the relatively
moderate tone used by Mussolini to-
day was welcome change.
Bloc Near Completion.
The basic framework of the
French British stop Hitler" bloc
was reported near completion by
sources close to the foreign office.
The Polish foreign minister, COL
Joseph Beck, these sources said, will
find sufficient military guarantees
waiting for him in London and later
in Paris to swing Poland into place
as one of the two key states in
blocking any further German ex-
pansion to the East. Col. Beck is
due in London Monday. He is re-
ported to have accepted an invita-
ton to come to Paris from London.
It was said here he would find a
better understanding of the i'm
portance of Danzig and the Polish
Corridor to Polish military defenses.