Evening star., 1945-08-03
THE EVENING STAR, Washington, D c. .**+ Ali
", 3

! r. II Il v II N N " = i "A h
l FRIDAY, AUGUST
toward an abyss. France was happy
and prosperous and we had no rea-
son for any conflict with our neigh
bors. I, myself, never meddled in
the internal policies Of any other
countries"
He gained confidence after q few
minutes and his utterances came
steadily, almost without interrupt
ton.
Wears Usual White Tie.
Laval's face was lined heavily: he
looked very tired. He wore the
white tie which has become his in
sigma and was dressed in a gray
striped suit. He carried q black
brief case. His eyes and those Of
Petain did not meet as he was LED
by fanking policemen into the silent
and sultry courtroom. Laval was
not sworn in. He appeared as a
court witness.
His early testimony was concerned
with the French-Itahan negotia-
tons over Tunisia, strategic French
holding along the middle of the
African Mediterranean coast.
The Hoare-Laval pact to which
he referred was secret agreement
aiming to appease Mussolini and
prevent his marching into Ethio-
pia. 1t would have given Italy
sovereignty or control of two-thirds
of Ethiopia.
Speaking of this pact, the French
co-signer said:
"All critical points at issue In Eu-
rope were covered by our agreement
Political passions overthrow Hoare
and everything was lost. In Parlia-
ment, Hoare said, his lips were
sealed I don't know why I don't
know what he was unable to dis
close.
Says Wales Asked to See Him.
| Baldwin and the entire British
government were informed. In fact,
Baldwin had been kept informed
almost hourly as the negotiations
progressed"
Laval said that Robert (now Lord
Vansittart, permanent undersecre-
tary for foreign affairs in the period
when the Hoare-Laval agreement
was reached, kept in constant touch
with Baldwin.
1t was Anthony Eden, then British
minister for League of Nations af-
fairs and later Foreign Secretary
who told him the Prince of Wales
wished to see him privately, Lava
reported
I'VE were alone together" Laval
saids II explained to him that the
Abyssinian ethiopian situation
was dangerous. that 1t might pro-
woke war. I revealed my alliance
with Mussolini and said we should
do everything to prevent war. ]
even recommended that we consult
with the Germans. Ny whole effort
was to save the peace of Europe.
II asked the Prince of Wales tc
continue his efforts toward peace
I suggested that he discuss the
situation with his father (King
George W.
The Prince replied: My father il
King Of England. He does not make
policies. But shall certainly tel
him what you have said"
Refers to Sanctions.
| Laval said he recognized in hi
discussions with the Prince of Vale.
that both Germany and Italy were
already authoritarian states.
"Anti-Fascist sentiments appar'
entity were stronger than love o.
peace" Laval continued. "Politica
passions prevailed In England -
suppose Hoare, for that reason. wa.
unable. to reveal that King Georg,
himself had asked him to find {
solution together with me-
Laval said that If oil sanctions hat
been applied when Italy attacked
Ethiopia war could not have beer
avoided between Britain, France ans
Italy."7 -s 81 :,
I Economic sanctions were applied
against Italy later. however, ,causipe
tension between Britain and italy
THE British dispatched their nee
I to the Mediterranean. ''
| Laval's voice rose to a shout a.
he said:
Il hate war. I detest war-ever
when We win. And We always lose.
A wave of laughter swept the
courtroom when Laval asserted;
Il respect human life"
Tells of Visit to London.
ITALY wanted our friendship" h.
testified. "Mussolini even tried tt
reach an accord with formel
Premier Leon) Blum, who followed
me in Office as Premier. When Ital!
and Germany got together, I knew
we were lost"
/ Laval then said that Great Britain
signed a naval agreement with Hit
Iler without consulting U.s." despit,
a previous French-British agree
ment.
I'm 1885, I visited London an
it was. agreed that neither Franc
nor England would enter into sepa
rate negotiations with Germany
Laval said. Shortly afterwards tn
naval agreement was concluded be
tween England and Germany.
strongly protested.
(The agreement allowed Ger
many to construct naval craft
up to a percentage of British
naval tonnage Under the pact,
the Germans were able legally to
construct such warcraft as the
dreadnaughts Bismarck and Tir-
pitz, which the British had to
sink during the war;
Mongibeaux again admonishe,
Laval to confine his statements II
issues Immediately affecting tn
n l.