BALKAN STRIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 238, 8 October 1934, Page 7

BALKAN STRIFE.

IL DUCE COMPLAINS.

Unfriendly Relations With Yugoslavia.

PROVOKING PRESS ATTITUDE,

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

MILAN, October 7. Fifty thousand people assembled to hear the Italian Prime Minister, Signor Mussolini, deliver a speech on foreign affairs—the climax to a three days' visit to Milan. Signor Mussolini declared that it was impossible to improve Italy's relations with Yugoslavians, if their newspapers continued to wound Italians to the core. This is interpreted as a reference to a Yugoslav newspaper taunting Italians with being the holders of the world's record for running away. The Prime Minister added: "The primary condition of friendship is recognition of the valour of the Italiau Army, which gave 000,000 men in the Allies' common cause. "We have defended, and will defend, Austria's independence. Those who affirm that Italy is seeking to make Austria a protectorate are either ignoramuses or liars. Outlook for Disarmament. "It is impossible to conceive European development without Germany," continued Signor Mussolini. "Our relations with Switzerland are excellent, and Franco-Italian relations have been considerably improved." The failure of attempts to achieve disarmament, said Signor Mussolini, rendered an agreement more necessary. He expressed the opinion that the end of October or the beginning of November would see something concrete. Mr. Arthur Henderson, president of the Disarmament Conference, in spite of his tenacity, was not likely to revive the Lazarus of disarmament, which was buried beneath navies and cannon. "If peace accompanied by justice is possible," concluded the Prime Minister, "we shall adorn our rifles with olive branches. If not, we shall adorn them with bayonets and win new victories."