FRANCO VICTORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 9

FRANCO VICTORY.

ITALIAN CLAIM.

Fascist Council Dedicated to

Foreign Affairs.

NAZI CURB ON MUSSOLINI ?

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 10.30 a.m.)

LOXDOX, February 5,

Reports are current that Signor Mussolini emphasised in his speech to the Fascist Grand Council-, that the fall of Barcelona and Gerona signify a victory for Franco, enabling Italy to realise her aspirations.

Signor Gayda, Press mouthpiece for II Duce, declares that the whole Fascist Council meeting was dedicated to foreign affairs. The world expected a speech from II Duce, which would have closed the cycle opened i>v Mr. Chamberlain and Hcrr Hitler, but the speech was not given out to indiscreet commentators.

The council met at the Palazzo Venezia, Koine, at 9 p.m. yesterday, under the presidency of Signor Mussolini. Hundreds outside cheered the members as thev arrived.

Well-informed sources did not anticipate a sensational speech, in view of the curb unofficially applied from Germany upon Signor Mussolini's possible exuberance, which probably was increased by General Gambara's claim that the Italian troops were solely responsible for the capture of Gerona in Spain.

Tlie Supreme Defence Council will meet to-morrow to examine the Spanish situation, and it is probable that Signor Mussolini will reserve his principal utterance unfcil after that. All-Night Sitting. Tim Crand Council continued its sitting after midnight. Suggestions that Italy's colonial claims would be officially formulated after the meeting are not confirmed.

London correspondents of Italian papers are giving a misleading picture of British opinion, says another message from Rome. Mr. Chamberlain is credited with the fullest acceptance of the Italo-Germa.ii viewpoint, and readers are led to conclude that there are only two brands of thought in Britain—the Prime Minister and his supporters standing for peace and friendship with Italy and disapproving of the French resistance to the Italian claims, and the pro-Bolshevists and warmongers opposing them. Britain's proclaimed solidarity with France is being discreetly overlooked.

Shouting: "Down with France!" hundreds of students stormed a cinema in the centre of Rome, compelling the suspension of the American film, "The Woman I Love," which exalts the bravery of French airmen.

Afterward it was officially announced that the film would be permanently banned owing to its "friendly atmosphere to France."