DIRECT HINT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 7

DIRECT HINT.

WARNING TO ITALY. Stop Rash Campaign Against France. DELIBERATE OBJECT. United Press Association.—Copyright (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, February 6. The "Daily Telegraph" diplomatic correspondent says Mr. Chamberlain's statement was made deliberately as a warning in the hope that it would act as a deterrent to a rash campaign against France, which is still being developed in Italy. It would thus counsel Italian and German leaders to prudence in the next public pronouncement on Mediterranean issues. The words, "any threat to France's vital interests," on If be interpreted ae meaning a threat to interests which France herself considers as vital. Mr. Vernon Bartlett, M.P., in the "News Chronicle," gays one of the reasons for the statement was the confidence with which Italian newspapers are suggesting that Britain has been won by the Fascists against France. The declaration was probably strengthened by Signor Gayda'n recent statements. The German Foreign Office spokesman said it was not felt that a new situation had been created. He pointed out that Mr. Chamberlain made a similar statement before the Czech crisis. It would be regrettable if the worde were interpreted as an encouragement to France in her attitude of intransigence.