ITALY'S POSITION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 95, 1 December 1939, Page 5

ITALY'S POSITION

INCIDENT COULD CAUSE PARTI-*

CIPATION EITHER WAY

(By H. Leonard Hfcatley)

Germany's action in concluding a treaty with Russia, in September, was- condemned by Japan and Italy as being a direct contradiction of Germany's previously expressed sentiments against Communism. Two years' ago Hitler invited Japan and Italy to form an alliance for the purpose of resisting the . possible spread' of Communism. These countries signified their willingness and the Anti-Communist Pact came into being. Italy has more or less seized on this contradiction as a reason for remaining neutral. .Actually., under an agreement she had with Germany, Italy should have taken up arms against the Allies when the armies of Britain and France penetrated into German territory. Instead, she declared that the signing; of the mutual assistance pact with Russia cancelled any agreements she may have had with the Nazis. But the amazing part of the whole business is that when Italy joined Germany in the Anti-Comintern bloc, she herself had a pact of nonaggression witli Russia. Signed in September, 1933, it stipulates that the two contracting' parties 'undertake not to engage in a Avar or act of aggression, one against the other, either on land", on sea, or in the air, under any circumstances, whether alone or in concert with -other States.' It would seem, then,, that Italy's declaration of lack of faith and sincerity in Germany, Because that country found it convenient to establish friendly relations with Russia, is an excuse to stay out of the war, because her complaint that the Nazis broke the Anti-Comintern Pact cannot be sustained when- it is remembered that a pact between Italy and Russia existed at the time of signing the agreement with Germany and Japan. Guiding Factor. One of the guiding factors In Italy's attitude since the Great War, has been her complaint that she was badly treated in the distribution of spoils which took place after that conflict. She has claimed that she was not sufficiently recompensed for her part in the struggle; fOr the sacrifices she made, and this is one of the reasons., apprt from the desire to draw her peoples' attention from her economic plight, that she conquered Abyssinia. It Avas also the reason for Mussolini's .attempted blackmail of France and | Britain/ in an effort to extend his : control in the Mediterranean and ! along the North coast of' Africa.

To Balance.

Italy has nothing in common with

Germany, except, perhaps, some similarity in political control. Racially,. Italy inclines towards France and racial sympathy, should it be necessary for Mussolini to make a decision, will probably swing the balance-

There are many things that Signor Mussolini will have to consider, for and against. lie probably realises that he would gain nothing by assisting Germany now. It was alright at the time for him to declare himself solidly with the Nazi Government and' their plans, because together the two hoped to gain muclt by threatening war on the democracies. No\v it would avail him nothing.

Germany's visible aim lies SouthEast, through Hungary, Roumanian Bulgaria, and it is logical to suppose that if Hitler secured absolute control over these countries,, Yugoslavia would also fall a victim to N£ziism. This, with German control over the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, would place Italy in a position where her professed friendship for Germany would avail her nothing.

It is j-et early to hope that Mussolini Avill join Britain and France because his old complaint that Italy was. badly treated at Versailles may negative his inclinations. There is no doubt that an Italian declaration for the Allied cause would do much to help Britain and France, as it would mean the diverting of troops intended for the Western Front fa the Southern German frontier. Not only that but it would also release the Allied Naval forces at present on a necessary guard in the Mediterranean, and their augmentation of the Fleets operating in more Northern waters would mean a larger degree of safety for merchant shipping.

It seems, at present, that unless some incident arises which causes -active participation either way> Italjf will remain strictly neutral.