Reports of a definite agreement having been reached by the French and the Ialian Governments have caused surprise In the Whitehall, Apparent-the British Government has not been informed of any specific new understanding between France and Italy and the reported rapgrochment is regarded as being somewhat premature. The British diplomatic view, it is stated, is that the French and Italian Governments do not intend to conclude a military alliance.
stir has been created in the jue of Nations lobbies by the ts that important progress has been made in the Franco-Italian talks, according to Reuter from Geneva, especially the suggestion that agreement has been reached on the Question of naval parity. in the Mediterranean. It is stated that this agreement permits France to reduce her naval forces in the Mediterranean and to transfer warships to Channel ports, particularly Cherbourg, which being modernized.
Despite French official denials that Louis Barthou, the French Foreign" Minister, shad accepted invitation to visit Rome in mid-Oetober, "it is stated in Geneva that. Barthou will visit Rome, and. this regarded in League circles as an indication that the Franco-Italian discussions have reached a" very" advanced stage. This view is held on account of the French Foreign Minister having always declared that he would never pay a visit to Rome until certain questions had been settled with the Italian Premier, Signor Benito Mussolini.
Common Front Towards Germany According to Reuter from Paris, there is no question at: the present time of specific agreements" being, reached at the conversations now in progress between France and Italy. f-and when the time comes to dis cuss "such agreements, it is felt that aval parity in the " Mediterranean would: certainly be the last question to be discussed.
France, it Is stated. is far more concerned at the present time with regard to Taly's attitude to Jugoslavia, It is declared that, if France assured that Italy's plans do not include territorial revisions of treat~
Jes, the way may be opened for Danube pact, including the Little Entente, Tt is stated that at the forthcoming meeting between Signor Mussolint and M. Barthou, an attempt will be mind to reach a settlement of the position of Talian immigrants in the Vrench colonies in Africa. They ure algo expected to discuss a common Policy towards Germany and also their attitude towards the Naval Conference.—Reuter.
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