Paris, Jan. 24.
France cannot renounce her rights under international law to take counter-measures against German activities within the 30)-miles maritime security zone proclaimed by the American Republics, declares the ofcial French reply to the note of the Government of Panama of December 23 last.
The reply is on similar lines to the British answer to the protest of the United States and twenty other American Republics, It refers to the attempt of the Graf Spee to attack the French merchantship Formosa, and says it is clear that if such things are committed or attempted, France and Bcitain have a strict right to oppose them at a suitable time by counter-attack, and cannot be asked to renounce this right.
In order that the security zone might become a reality, the French reply adds, it is indispensable that the German Government should not send eny more warships or" supply ships into the zone, and every American government should take effective suitable measures to keep in its ports German vessels which have taken refuge there.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.