REPORTS OF ITALIAN MILITARY ACTIVITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 11

REPORTS OF ITALIAN MILITARY ACTIVITY.

AGAINST ALBANIA?

Britain Disbelieves Move; Would Break Pact.

MEDITERRANEAN STATUS QUO,

Independent Cable Service.

(Received 12 noon.)

LONDON, April 4.

Official circles state that there is no confirmation of Italian military activity against Albania. They point out that the British and Italian declaration jointly pledges Britain and Italy to observe the status quo in the Mediterranean. A Whitehall spokesman confirmed reports of military activity in Italy, adding, "But it is difficult to believe that Italy will act contrary to the spirit of the agreement." A Paris message says Albania and Italy are repented to be discussing an Italian demand to land troops in Albania either to-morrow or Thursday. Albania Will Resist. It is reported from Tirana that Albania intends to resist any Italian military landing. The Albanian War Ministry denies that Albania has agreed to become a protectorate of Italy, hut refuses to confirm or deny that negotia* tions with Italy are proceeding. There is no confirmation in Belgrade of rumours that Italian troops are concentrated on the Yugoslav frontier. A United Press Association report from Paris says diplomatic advices from Albania state that Italians will land troops in Albania to-morrow and Thursday. *■ A Rome message says Italy and Albania are negotiating a reinforcement of the existing defensive alliance. The "Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno" states: "A broadcast from Bari says that negotiations are progressing at the explicit request of King Zog." The broadcast added: "It is not Italy's intention to attempt action against the integrity or independence of Albania."

It is authoritatively stated that Britain and Italy agreed to end the Nyon non-intervention agreement. POSITION OBSCURE. TALK OF PROTECTORATE. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 4. | In spite of an official denial from i Tirana, Albania, that Italian troops are I on their way to Albania, unconfirmed reporU from Rome state that 20,000 troope are standing by at Brindisi and Bail, with transports. Well-informed quarters in Rome say that any action taken against Albania will have the consent of King Zog, ruler of the country. The correspondent of "The Times" in| Rome, says Italy may possibly be contemplating some form of protectorate over Albania, and even the taking of virtual possession, which has for long appeared to be her ultimate aim. The correspondent says Albania's economic position has lately grown worse. The people are discontented, and King Zog may have agreed to accept ft protectorate in his own interests. A further semi-official message from Tirana says that "tendencious reports" about Italo-Albanian relations are baseless. The British United Press Rome corresnondent says the high command of the Alpine troops has been transferred to Trento from Rome. The War Office states that this is a normal operation, but foreign military observers, report that Trento and Gorizia garrisons have been placed on a footing of readiness for mobilisation.