BRITAIN SUSPECTED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 285, 14 September 1935, Page 5

BRITAIN SUSPECTED.

ALLEGATIONS IN ROME PAPER. GREAT NAVAL ACTIVITY. (Received This Day, 1.45 p.m.) V ROME, Sept, 13. “What does Britain mean by Her formidable naval concentration. Is it a threat or preparation for offensive action?” asks the “Azione Colonnale (which is often the mouthpiece of the Colonial Office), asserting that nine British warships have been added to the Mediterranean fleet, British garrisons reinforced, and offensive and defensive , works at docks and ports reorganised and strengthened, including nets, chains, and minefields, especially at Gibraltar and Malta, where severe measures have been taken in connection with .foreigners, while stores, munitions, food and water are rigorously supervised. Moreover warships are anchored at Gibraltar, Malta, Cyprus, Haifa, Alexandria, and destroyers and coastguard vessels are criss-crossing on the coasts of Egypt and Palestine, with similar activity at Akabah and Aden, where Indian units are expected, producing a levfl of armaments that threatens the Italian position in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea,

“Every new’ British arrival only invites counter-measures,” says the newspaper. “If the British Home fleet comes to Italy, our reply must be much more serious.”