1940-03-29 — Page 11

THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 29, 1940

London Meeting Of Supreme War Council DECLARATION OF WAR POLICY

1

LONDON, TO-DAY.

IT IS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THAT THE SIXTH MEETING OF THE SUPREME WAR COUNCIL WAS HELD IN LONDON YESTERDAY. THE -COUNCIL ASSEMBLED IN THE MORNING AND THERE WAS A FURTHER MEETING IN THE AFTERNOON. France was represented by M. Paul Reyraud (Pre- mier), M. Cesar Campinchi (Navy Minister) and M. Laurent Eynac (Air Minister), who were accompanied by M. Corbin (Ambassa- dor in London), M. Alexis Leger (Under- Secretary at the Foreign Office), General Gamelin, Admiral Darlan (Navy chief), Gen- eral Vuillemin (Air chief) and General Koeltz.

ing and strengthened.

GERMANS REOPEN FRONTIER

Amsterdam, To-day.

The German Government have partly re-opened the frontlar with Holland which they sealed 10 days ago.

Until yesterday a barrier pre- vented all, traffic between the two countries. Now, for 101⁄2 hours a day, people possessing the neces sary visas are allowed to pass un- hindered through gaps in the bar. riers.-Router.

Great Britain was repre- It has been increasingly appreciat

ed that as the nucleus of an inter-security of Europe during the period sented by Mr. Chamberlain, national authority essential to ensur- of reconstruction and fresh endeavour Lord Halifax (Foreign Secre- ing such a settlement as the tary), Mr. Winston Churchill have in view, the (First Lord of the Admiralty) and Sir Kingsley Wood (Air Minister), who were accom- panied by Sir Alexander Cadogan (Permanent Under- Secretary at

4

SPRING CLASH OF ARMS FORESEEN

Rome, To-day.

The communique issued after the Supreme War Council of the Allies in Lon- don is regarded in Italian political circles as the most far-reaching and solemn de- claration of unflinching soli- darity made by the Allies since the outbreak of war.

a

Political circles feel that such categorical announcement would not have been made if the Summer Welles tour offered the flimsiest promise of the acceptable peace proposals, and feeling has become stronger that the Spring must inevitably witness the of clash of arms that the whole Europe has been dreading.

Allies to which we look forward after the

On the face of it, it is sald, the present Anglo- | war."

communique plainly conveys that the French alliance must be kept in be- In the joint aims of the Ailles | Alles will not take the Initiative In

expressed in the final sentence of any peace talks.

nothing his It' will be recalled' that' in

the communique there is humiliating or oppressive for any speech at Birmingham on Febru-

laid nation whether great or small. All ary 24, the Prime Minister

equally stand to gain by the vic- special emphasis on the pride and pleasure which every Frenchman tory of those banded together to

achieve the triumph of freedom: with whom he had talked felt re-

Mr. Chamberlain concluded his garding the prospect of maintain. ing on a`mbre'permanent båsls this Birmingham speech with the memor- Office), Air Marshal Sir Cyril

close cooperation.

able words: "Until we are satisfied Newall (Chief of Air Staff),

He added: "There' could be no that freedom is safe we shall con- tinue to fight to the utmost of our Admiral Sir Dudley Pound more hopeful assurance of our com-

fruitful soul and of our strength." 1. (Chief of Naval Staff) and mon victory and no more.

It is clear from yesterday's General Sir Edmund Ironside basis of a lasting peace because this

British has munique that, the Intimate understanding

the Foreign

which

com- Prime well

ав

The Anglo-French undertaking to act as one nation not only in war but in all fields of politicsi --mottle- ment after the war, is described disposing of all controversies between Britain and France regarding war (Chief of the Imperial Gen-grown up between us must not be Minister spoke for France as

aims--Reuter. allowed to come to an end when war as for England.-British Wireless. eral Staff).

is over. It must remain to help us Mr. Chamberlain expressed grati-

the fication at being

greet M. to work out the problems of able to Reynaud for the first time as Presi-New Europe which must come after with which the war in association dent du Conseil.

we shall gladly welcome others who share our ideals."

DECISIONS MADE

The Council passed in review de velopments in the strategic situation since their last meeting and decided on the future line of action.

In the light of the results achiev- ed by the agreement of December last, signed by Sir John Simon (Chan- M. cellor of the Exchequer) and Reynaud (then French Finance Minister), and desiring to extend the scope of this agreement to all spheres security affecting the interests and

of the two nations, the two Govern- ments have agreed to the following solemn declaration:--

SOLEMN DECLARATION "The Government of the French Republlo' and His Majesty's Govern. ment in the United Kingdom mutually undertake that during the present war they will neither negotiate nor con- olude an armistice or treaty of peaco except by mutual agreement.'

"They undertake not peace terms before

plate agreement on

to discuss

reaching com. the conditions

------IDENTITY OF PURPOSE....... "We and France are determined to do what we can for security by the continuance of that complete identity which now of purpose and policy unites us and which will serve after the war for the firm foundation which international relations between our two countries are built. Only so and can we establish the authority stability which are necessary for the

ARTILLERY WAKES UP IN FRANCE

on

Paris, To-day.. Considerably more than

necessary to ensure to each of them the customary German

an effective `and lasting guarantee of their security.

"Finally, they undertake to main- tain after the conclusion of peace a community of action in all spheres for so long as may be necessary to safe-

guard their security and to effect

the reconstruction, with the assistance of other nations, of an international order which will ensure the liberty of peoples, respect for law and the maintenance of peace in Europe.". Reuter,

EMPHATIC APPROVAL The solemn declaration with which the communique concludes closely ac- cords with the feeling which is prac

nand, in tically unanimous in Britain particular, the undertaking to main- tain, after the conclusion of peace," the closest Anglo-French cooperation is assured of general and " emphatle: approval.

artillery activity occurred on Wednesday in regións east of the Saar and

Vosges.

Long-range harassing fire was con- centrated on woods and points in the French lines.

The French, however, retaliated to a similar extent and the exchange reached considerable proportions for some time.,

Both sides sent out patrols and there were some encounters in No-Man's LandReuter............_______

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London, To-day. The London Harbour düed wiir bo' ased from April 1. - Hayas.

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