Paris, Apr, 18.
The French Charge d'Affairs in Rome, M. Jules L, Blondell, today delivered to the Italian Government an invitation from the French Premier, M, Edouard Daladier, for the commencement of conversations aiming at a Franco-Italian pact of friendship.
It was understood that M, Daladier and M. Georges Bonnet, Foreign Minister, were convinced that once conversations were begun the pact could be concluded in a week, It was generally expected here that the speed with which Italy replied to the invitation would determine when ther France would resume full Dardanelles, acceptance of a compromise withdrawal from Spain and a pledge to seek no territorial, mili tary, political or colonial advantages in Spain, The spokesman said that only a few direct Franco-Italian problems were left unsettled. These largely concerned Syria, Tunisia and the question of hostile propaganda,—United Press,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.