-2- #176, February 7, 3 p.m., from London.
 
      
 
 
His Majesty's Government and afford some justification for 
      fears of German action towards the west either spontaneously 
      or in support of Italian claims. The French Government consider 
      that the Western Powers are all equally threatened whatever the 
      initial direction of a German or Italian attack and that this 
      community of risk should logically entail a real solidarity in 
      face of any unprovoked attack by Germany or Italy. On this understanding 
      the French Government would agree with His Majesty's Government 
      in considering the contingency of an invasion of Holland as casus 
      belli, although they point out that this would not involve any 
      contractual responsibility on the part of France and that her 
      joint action with Great Britain would be of a preventive character. 
      The French Government have also requested an assurance that His 
      Majesty's Government would regard invasion of Switzerland in 
      the same light as an invasion of Holland. The French reply finally 
      welcomes His Majesty's Government's decision to accelerate their 
      defensive and counter defensive measures and suggests that conscription 
      appears, essential for effective British participation if (in) 
      the organization of common defense on the Continent. The French 
      Government have also communicated