ITALY'S ATTITUDE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 153, 1 July 1938, Page 7

ITALY'S ATTITUDE.

Use Influence With Franco to Stop Rebel Bombing. BRITISH MERCHANTMEN. British Official Wireless. (Received 0.30 a.m.) RUGBY, June 30. Reports that the Earl of Perth had seen Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Secretary, and called his attention to the effect on British public opinion of the recent series of attacks on British merchantmen in port and in territorial waters of the Government of Spain by Ceneral Franco's bombers, are confirmed in official circles. The remarks of Lord Perth were received hy Count Ciano in a friendly spirit, and it is understood that while the latter pointed out that armed forces of Nationalist Spain were entirely under General Franco's'orders, Lord Perth was assured that Italy was most willing to do anything in its power to assist in this matter and use its influence at Burgos for this purpose.

BOMBING CIVILIANS. QUESTION IN AMERICA. WASHINGTON, June 30. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull. in a letter to Mr. Alfred F. Bieter, a Democrat member of the House of Representatives, said the severance of commercial relations in order to discourage the bombing of civilian populations would "call for a radical departure from the policy of non-interference and non-involvement, which we have pursued so far. "I think I may say this Government will continue its endeavours, in conformity with the policy of non-inter-vention, to exert a restraining and ameliorative influence whenever and however it may be practicable," said Mr. Hull.