MEDITERRANEAN NOW CENTRE OF TENSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 84, 11 April 1939, Page 9

MEDITERRANEAN NOW CENTRE OF TENSION.

Malta And Gibraltar Ready For Eventualities. FRANCE TAKES ACTION. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 1U noon.) LONDON, April 10. All British ships of the Mediterranean Fleet have left Italian ports for destinations not disclosed. There are four British battleships, one aircraft carrier, six cruisers, several flotillas of destroyers and submarines and numerous ancillary vessels at present scattered between Gibraltar and Malta, in addition to other units based on Gibraltar, Malta and Alexandria, says an Independent Cable Service message. A Malta dispatch to the United Press Association says that anti-aircraft and coastal defences have been manned. This is officially described as a precautionary message. British naval officers were recalled to Gibraltar from week-end leave. France is taking prfcautions in the Mediterranean, says a Paris message, this action coinciding with British measures. It is believed that Fiance will reinforce Syria and North Africa. Greece's Integrity Assured. Sir Sydney Waterlow, British Minister in Athens, interviewed General Mctaxas, Greek Prime Minister, who later made a statement that Greece's integrity was absolutely assured. The Government, he said, is ceaselessly watchful to preserve security and honour. A Paris message says M. Bonnet had a conference with the British and Russian Ambassadors A Rome report says 330,000 reservists were called up to-day. At present there are 900,000 men, excluding native troops, under arms. It is understood Signor Mussolini is postponing his visit to Tirana to await the result of the British and French Cabinet meetings. The Turkish Cabinet met. The Foreign Minister, M. Saradjoglu, stated that harmony existed in Kuniano-Turkish relations. An unconfirmed report from 'Paris says further reserves are being called up as a precautionary measure. It is reported that' Greek newspapers publish a statement from Italy guaranteeing Greece's absolute territorial integrity. Dr. Gafencu, Rumanian Foreign Minister, returned from Istanbul. He received the Yugoslav Ambassador and the French, Italian and Hungarian Ministers.