FASCISM AND THE LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17861, 6 September 1923, Page 9

FASCISM AND THE LEAGUE.

MUSSOLINI'S CHALLENGE TO GENEVA.

INTERVENTION INADMISSIBLE.

(B* CABLE—fp.xss ASSOCIATION—COFTBIGHT.) (AtfSTBAUAK ASD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) ROME, September 4. Signor Mussolini, Prime Minister, informed the Cabinet that it was inadmissible for the League of Nations to intervene in the Italo-Greek dispute. If the League insisted Italy would withdraw from membership. Gibinet entirely endorsed Signor Mussolini's attitude in regard to GreeoO. (Received September Sth, 8 p.m.) LONDON, September 4. The "Daily Mail's" Rome correspondent says Signor Mussolini told an interviewer that "if the Greeks fulfil the conditions of the ultimatum, we will withdraw from CorfUj but they had better pay eoon because the price will be higher next week. These operations are expensive," Signor Mussolini said he had ordered the fleet to Corfu because Italy would get nothing unless she took pledges. She Would keep those pledges until Greece had completely and literally complied with Italy's terms. If Greece did not pay, the Italians would remain in Corfu indefinitely. Italy had no intention of occupying more Greek territory, unless the^rreeks were foolish enough to attack Italians or their property, in which case she would take military action immediately. Thfe Italian publie liked and respected the League of Nations, but this question (lid not affect the League. If the League protested, ho might withdraw from it.

LEAGUE MUST ACT

THREAT OF FIVE MINOR POWERS.

(Received September sth, 8 p.m.) GENEVA, September 5. The Norwegian, Swedish and Little Entente (lloumania, Jiigo-Slavla, and Caecho-Slovakia) delegates have intimated their intention of Withdrawing from the League of Nations unless it defile with the Greco-italian trouble. IfiEtrrEa'a iELEGiuitB.) GENEVA, September 4. The Assembly of the League of Nations elected M. Motta (Switzerland) chairman of the Legal Questions Gomihitteo instead of Bigfiof Scialoja (Italy). This is regarded as a demonstration against Signor Mussolini's attitude in the present conflict. Sis vice-presidents were elected, in* eluding Lord Robert Cecil (Britain), Viscount Ishii (Japan), and M. Hano tan* (France).

GREECE'S PROPOSALS.

A BASIS FOR DISCUSSION.

(Received September sth, 8 p.m.) GENEVA, September 4. The Greek Cabinet agreed that the Council of the League of Nations should nominate neutrals to participate in a tribunal to enquire iiitn the murder of the Italian Commissioners, and tho indemnity to l>e paid to their families Would be fixed) by a Commission composed of Italians, Greeks, aiid a neutral Magistrate. Greece, meanwhile is depositing 50,000,000 lire in a Swiss Bank. (Received September sth, 8 p.m.) JjOlStfON, September- 5The Exchange Telegraph Agency's Geneva correspondent says the Greek proposals were submitted to-night, and wefe gehoraliy favourably received. It is how believed that unlesß Italy to-icofE-ow refuses to discuss the matter, u way out of tho crisis can easily be found. The method to be pursued will consist of accepting tho Greek proposals as a basis for discussion, and then refer them first to the Ambassadors' Conference for aa immediate report, on the ground that that body took the first step after, the murders were committed. It is expected that the Ambassadors' Conference will bo ablo to report within a week, leaving ths League Council to take the final decision, which would not lessen, tho League's authority. Italy holds the key to the situation. If she refuses to abide by the Covenant of tee Leagu® ehe wiil fend that t> majority of the present Assembly are ready to compel the Oouncil to act, or to wreck the League. ATHENS, September "4. Mr Alexandria, Foreign Minister, interviewed, insisted upon tho competence of tho League of Nations to deal with the dispute. Tho League was morally responsible for the protection of the territory of its members. "We are convinced," be said, "that Italy, after the fihre flush of emotion, will jecogjfcifcs, ih hflr olnie* momenta, that Greece lias acted in good faith and In a spirit o! conciliation, and desires to give complete satisfaction. When this is realised, Italy will end ilio occupation of tha Greek islands, Mich cannot be justified by argument or rigkt.*' After the burial of tho victims of th* bombardment at Corfu, demonstralors unsuccessfully attempted to take the Italian Legation by storm.

tracing the murderers.

(Received September sth, 9..20 p.m.) LONDON, September 5. The "Daily Telegraph's" special correspondent at Athens says the Government announces that two shepherds who witnessed the Janina shootings made a statement that the mtirderr. were the work of six men in Albanian peasant costume. The Greek Government appears intensely keen to traac the perpetrators of the crime, and is equally emphatic that they will be found to be Albanians. The Government intends to offer a reward of 1 000,000 drachmas for the identification. of tie murderers.