"For the very sake of a solid Franco-Itelian entente, the French Government cannot Sacrifice this He fidelity toward her allies and particularly toward the Yugoslavian. people, cruelly struck by the recent assassination of King Alexander, remained unalterable, Finally, he said, the negottati with Italy, while ensuring Austria's independence, would lead to the con solidation of peace in Central Europe, 'The Foreign Minister then spoke of the proposed eastern security Pact, saying that the Government was' discussing the conditions of this mutual assistance agreement, which would achieve similar results eastern Europe. This pact, stressed does not pursue any selfish jim and invites the participation of all Governments, whatever be their interior regimes. as long as they follow the same aim.
"No one is excluded from these negotiations, which cannot be re-farded as being directed against any country. The maintenance of pres= ent frontiers is a principle the necessity of which must be recognized, by all." he said, adding that Franco~ Soviet solidarity will openly exert its influence to the benefit at all other Powers to ce-operate for the maintenance of order in the region Pending the plebiscite, "France proclaims her intention of doing nothing that isnot entirely within the scope of international agreements and considers the development of the League of Nalions as an indispensable condition for the maintenance of peace:
In conclusion, Mf, Laval expressed the hope that is. statement had succeeded in dissipating doubts and anxiety felt. by those who may. be unduly alarmed by fears of a dissociation of peace efforts in Europe, He expressed hit satisfaction with the entire similarity of views existe Ing between France and Grea Britain for close ce-operation, which, the nid, was the essential quarante of peace in Europe.
Amon the questions given parti cular prominence in the report were the problems of Swiss neutrality, Franco-Soviet_ friendship and Ger= man-Polish rapprochement—Havas.
Von Ribbentrop's Misston Paris, Dec. 1. Hitler's disarmament Gen, Joachim von Ribbentrop, whose movements nave been arousing speculation. 1s expected to return to. Berlin' with a new agreement between France and Ger many on outstanding economic questions in his pocket.
The armaments question is being treated with extreme reserve in Ger man. oMiclal circles. Tt is realized in Berlin that the debate on the subject in the House of Common. may. have been intended os a prev Timinary step to new—negotiations, but It is felt that any subsequent move ties with France.
At the interview. which Tasted three hours, the ex-servicemen impressed upon the eneral that anxiety was felt in France in connection with the forthcoming plebiscite inthe Saar and the re-atmament of Ge and for the consolidation of peace eastern Europe.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.