Clermont Ferrand, Apr. 14.
An understanding betweest France Jand Germany, the renewal of the [Stresa front among France, Britain jand Tialy, the lifting of anti-Italian sanctions, and the conclusion of peace jin East Africa, are conditions indis-Jpensable for the organization of lasting peace in Europe, according to a declaration made yesterday by the former Premier and Foreign Minister, IM. Pierre Laval, in a press interview here.
European peace cannot be efficient:
guaranteed without an accord between Paris and Berlin," M. Laval said, recalling that, during his Premiership, he always sought a /Franco-German rapprochement. "Germany, however, answered these offer's lby repudiating Locarno."
With reference to Herr Hitler's claim that his action was justified by the conclusion of the Franco-Soviet Jmutual assistance pact, the former Premier recalled that the Reich. Foreign Minister, Baron Constantin Jvon Neurath, had declared that Germany was prepared to enter an eastern non-aggression pact even Jother powers were bound by mutual assistance agreements.
"Hiller has made proposals, which it ts up to the Governments concern Jed to discuss, I do not wish to enter into details of these offers, but 't Jseems to me that a systematical refusal to negotiate with Germany would be'a mistake," he added.
"In the present state of anxiety and Jdisorder reigning in Europe, one must fact swiftly. One must attempt to settle all outstanding problems be-{tween France and Germany."
Regarding the East African dispute, st, Laval said full ce-operation would be ensured between Britain. and [France when each of these countries: understood the other's point of view. }He recalled the elaboration, at the Jend of lost year in Paris, of the Jabortive Hoare-Laval peace' plan for Jo settlement of the Tale-Abyssinian issue. "When T was taking leave Jot Sir Samuel Hoare at the time, I Jdeclared: It conciliation succeeds, Jwhat a bright horizon would open before us. We shall next endeavour together to include Germany in th Jorganization of collective security. [Unfortunately, peace has not been restored in Ethiopia and still remains {to be built in Europe. And what] are we doing? We Invoke Locarno, asking Ttaly's ce-operation, while, by. Jentorcing the League Covenant, we Jcontinue applying sanctions against her. This paradoxical situation can not go on much longer. The time: has come to revive the Stresa front. ]We shall be entitled to contemplate with greater confidence European Jdestinies and organize peace, once sanctions are removed and peace feoneluded in Ethiopia."—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.