Full text of "The Struggle For Peace"
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98 ------------------------------------------------------------------_ had in mind, that if these conversations are to lead, as we desire them to lead, not merely to an improvement of the relations between ourselves and Italy but to general appease- ment all round the Mediterranean, in which the French are particularly interested, we could not possibly achieve that end unless the French were entirely with us from the beginning to the end." MR. ATTLEE : " If that is so, why when I put this specific point to the right hon. Gentleman yesterday did he give me no reply? When I made the statement about consultations with the French, why did the right hon. Gentleman not take the opportunity of telling us what he has told us now ? He made no statement." , THE PRIME MINISTER : " The right hon. Gentleman must be alluding to the speech that I made in the evening, because he spoke after me in the afternoon." MR. ATTLEE : " I put a specific point to the right hon. Gentleman. I said that there had been no mention of France." THE PRIME MINISTER : " I think the right hon. Gentleman is mistaken." MR. ATTLEE : " I asked whether there had been consultations and I got no reply." THE PRIME MINISTER : " I am sorry if the right hon. Gentleman thought that I was discourteous to him in not replying to his question. I can assure him that I did not intend deliberately to avoid his question. If I did not mention it last night—and I think he will find if he reads the OFFICIAL REPORT that was the only opportunity I had—he will remem- ber that I got up very late, and that I had not intended to say more than a few words. I hope what I have said to-day will make amends to him for my not having mentioned it last night." MR. ATTLEE : " While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for meeting that specific point, he will realise why my right hon. Friend referred to die matter. As the Prjme Minister had not answered on a very vital question as to whether we were acting with France, we naturally assumed that he had not an answer." THE PRIME MINISTER : " I hope that the right hon. Gentle- man and his Friends will not assume again that because I do