FOSTERING ILL-FEELING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 6, 19 October 1935, Page 5

FOSTERING ILL-FEELING.

CONCERN VOICED IN BRITAIN.

FRENCH ATTITUDE NOT HELPFUL

(United Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, October 18. “The Times” publishes the following obviously inspired statement:

“The Government views with concern the effects on Italian opinion of Press messages from Paris or from French correspondents elsewhere. These appear to have been largely responsible for the grotesque suggestion that Great Britain is seeking war with Italy. “The constant insistence that every step taken collectively at Geneva is due to the initiative of Mr R. A. Eden has increased Italian suspicions that British policy aims at imposing upon Italy a choice between war and diplomatic humiliation. The result has been that anti-British feeling in Italy has been strengthened to a serious degree and is said to have affected Mussolini himself.” .

The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says that the London correspondents of Italian newspapers depict British opinion as being steadily more hostile to Italy, which they declare now occupies in British eyes the position held by Germany in 1914. British propaganda, they say, is allegedly insisting on world peace, which can only bo maintained by the elimination of Fascism. They further assert that covetoils British Imperialism is neglecting no libel or other manoeuvre in order to destroy Fascism. Meanwhile, M. Laval is warmly applauded for resisting Britain, especially in view of the attempts to scare him by threats of revising the Locarno pacts. The newspapers, recalling Wednesday as the tenth anniversary of tho signing of the Locarno pacts, declare that the anniversary of the event, hailed as the first post-war step to ward an understanding between tho great Powers, now coincides with a fresh division between them. However attractive collective .security may seem, peace - can only be guaranteed by direct agreements and permanent, confident contacts and collaboration between those States which are mainly interested and capable of securing peace. The British Ambassador had a further interview, with M. c Laval last night. He communicated the views of the British Government on the proposal as to whether the British Government would be prepared to withdraw from, the Mediterranean such naval forces as were in excess of the normal footing. M. Laval had suggested that, on the part of Italy, such a gesture by Britain should bo met by the withdrawal of the additional Italian forces sent to Libya. The terms of the British reply to this inquiry were not published. Tho main considerations which prompted Britain to reinforce tho Mediterannean Fleet remain unchanged. Reinforcements were sent to the Mediterranean as a precautionary measure in view of the threatening antiBritish tone of'the Italian Press, and this situation continues. Meanwhile, the Italian forces in Libya have been strengthened.

The newspapers state that, the proposal, in the form in which .it was made, has in these circumstances been rejected by the British Government.