6 JANUARY 1939, Page 5

M. Daladier on Tour On his trindipbal tew._ tO Cortica

and Tunis this week, M. Daladier; has been_ received, ,is might be expected, with intense enthusiasm. He was able to set out with a more peaczful mind since the French Budget, after a fierce debate, had been passed.: M,Daladier has taken every opportunity of affirming the integrity of France and her Empire, and her will and capacity -.to defend hakself. Assertions -of Tien& " invincibility " would be more impressive with aeroplanes to support them ; yet the vigour with which M. Daladier and M. Bonnet have rejected Italy's extravagant demands seem to have been effective. Italian pretensions have certainly diminished in the last fortnight. There are indeed faint yet encouraging signs of improvement in France's situation. Internally, M. Reynaud has had more political success than could have been expected, capital is flowing back to France, and the bank rate has been reduced. Externally, much depends on the results of General Franco's offensive and of Mr. Chamberlain's visit to Rome. In Germany it is pointed out that France cannot permanently oppose an Italy which enjoys the friendship of the Reich and of Great Britain. But Italy cannot in fact enjoy British friendship while her present attitude towards France persists.

* * * *