BRITISH WARSHIPS IN MEDITERRANEAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 223, 20 September 1935, Page 7

BRITISH WARSHIPS IN MEDITERRANEAN.

ITALIANS OBJECT.

"Concentration Absolutely Unjustified." TRENCH PRESS ALARM. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 19. The spokesman of the Italian Foreign Office declares that tlic concentration of British warships in the Mediterranean, amongst which is the Australia, is absolutely unjustified. Italy is not menacing any European Power, but, 011 the contrary, intends to collaborate in the maintenance and strengthening of European peace. A Paris message says the French Press views the movements of the British Fleet with alarm. "Lt Journal des Debats" asks whether the Abyssinian dispute has already become a conflict between Italy and Britain, and adds it is unbelievable that the Mediterranean should bccome a closed lake. France should not associate herself with military sanctions, and must remain neutral if she cannot stop the conflagration. "Lc Temps" regards the fleet movements as deplorable and embarrassing to the negotiations. Nevertheless the paper recognises that imprudent Italian talk has forced Britain's hand. "Tho Times" Rome correspondent says that the newspapers recommenced attacks 011 Britain and are reviving the accusation that Britain is not acting oil behalf of the League but «>r her own ends. Nervousness of Italy. Tho Geneva correspondent of "The Times" says the nervousness of the Italian delegates has notably increased and there is good reason to believe that the rally of world opinion to the League—especially Britain's quiet but steady preparations for any eventuality in tho Mediterranean —has markedly affected the Italian morale.

It was fashionable in Geneva until recently to cast doubt upon Britain s resolution and the efficacy of the material means at her disposal. Some even accepted the theory that the Italian Navy and Air Force were "newer" and therefore more formidable than any which they might meet in Mediterranean waters, but the concentration of the British naval force in the Mediterranean now has reached proportions which have visibly impressed Italian as well as other observers.

The sudden appearancp of 24 British destroyers in Egyptian waters, when the Italian Government was not aware that they had passed the Straits of Gibraltar, is being related with relish as a reply to the Italian claim that nothing happens in the Mediterranean without Italy's knowledge.

A British official wireless message says that the battle-cruisers Renown and Hood and the cruisers Orion, .Neptune and Achilles, three of the four ships of the Second Cruiser Squadron, and six of the nine destroyers of the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla arrived at Gibraltar on Tuesday. The arrival of the cruiser Ajax at Gibraltar is also reported.