UNEASINESS IN ROME.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 65, 28 December 1935, Page 5

UNEASINESS IN ROME.

ITALY IN SERIOUS PLIGHT. “PEACE PLAN NOT DEAD.” LONDON, December 26. The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says the general uneasiness and anxiety overhanging the “saddest Christmas since the war” is reflected in a long examination of the stiuation in the “Osservatore Romano,” in which the writer laments the absence of a single word of conciliation, or the possibility of a settlement. He adds that the squall on the horizon threatens to become a tempest, and emphasises that Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech on December 19 was an authoritative exposition of the situation. Nevertheless he contends that the Paris proposal is still alive, both for the league and France, and expresses the opinion that the league only placed the plan in cold storage temporarily. Accordingly, M. Laval will continue his efefforts of trying everything within the league, whose sanctions will not exclude the negotiations. Meanwhile, ulterior developments will depend on the Laval Cabinet stability, the outcome of British soundings of the Mediterranean Powers and the appointment of Mr Eden. British diplomatic steps are worrying the writer, as is also the French naval cruise. Dr. Gayda, re-examining Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech, sums up the objections to the Paris proposals, declaring that they do not go as far as the treaties between 1891 and 1925, which, he declares, retain full validity between Britain and Italy. Hence it is interesting to know whether they are now regarded as scraps of paper. OIL SUPPLIES FOR ITALY. SHARP ADVANCE IN FREIGHTS. LONDON, December 26. “Oil freight rates to Italy have ad' .vanced sharply because Italy is at present drawing the bulk of her supplies from the United States, relying cn Scandinavian shipping for transportation,” says the shipping writer ot Ine Times.” "The Norwegian motor-tanker Moski has been chartered to load 12 000 tons of oil for Gulf ports at los 6d a ton. This is believed to be a record for the voyage, and is about 5s more than the rate six months ago. “Two other Norwegian tankers have obtained 16s 6d, while 30s has been paid to the Norwegian ship Rigmor, which left Los Angeles with 9500 tons for Massawa, via the Red Sea, a voyage ot 11,000 miles, but Panama and buez Canal dues will be avoided. The Italians are paying 9s 6d a ton to Port Said from Naples. The normal price 1S “The Norwegians are quoting lower than the British because of the lower war risk insurance. It is believed that rates will generally harden.”