GERMANY AND ITALY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21718, 27 February 1936, Page 11

GERMANY AND ITALY

Mutual Assistance Agreed? MANY RUMOURS FRENCH ASSURANCE TO HITLER (.UNITED PRESS association —copyright.) (Received February 26, 10A6 p.m.j LONDON, February 25. M. Flandin’s gesture to Germany, including an appeal for Germany’s return to Geneva, is regarded as introducing an important new factor to which Herr Hitler must give attention before taking further action. It is reported from Paris that at the resumption of the debate on the Franco-Soviet Pact in the Chamber of Deputies, the Foreign Minister (M. Flandm) said that every Foreign Minister since M. Briand had partial responsibility for the pact. Not one of them had failed to appeal to Germany to participate in a scheme for mutual OQQIQf JVHPP Nobody’ could say the intention was to isolate Germany, for the pact had been signed at Moscow to the accompaniment of the greatest regret that Germany was not associating herself with it. M. Flandin declared France’s willingness to submit to The Hague Court the compatibility of the pact with the Locarno Treaty, should this be contested by Germany. In a direct reference to Germany M. Flandin said: “It is desirable that a great nation to which civilisation owes so much should resume its place in the world and be tieated on a footing of equality.” The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” suggests that the pact may not be ratified until June, after the French elections. Rumoured Bloc Meanwhile several sources, including the Rome correspondent of “The Times,” refer to strong rumours of a bloc between Italy, Germany, Poland, Austria, and Hungary. Nothing is yet decided, but it is believed that Britain’s guarded response to Herr Hitler s overtures has opened the possibility of more cordial relations between Italy and Germany. Moreover, Signor Mussolini is strongly opposed to the Franco-Soviet pact. The diplomatic correspondent ol the “Daily Telegraph” believes that Italy and Germany may attempt to use the pact as a lever to secure their own ends—ltaly aiming at lifting sanctions, and Germany seeking the conclusion of a Western air pact by a mutual threat to denounce the Locarno Treaty, which may also be used towards a general discussion of grievances with the great colony-holding countries. The Rome correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that although it is denied that Mussolini and Herr Hitler intend jointly to repudiate the Locarno Treaty if the Franco-Soviet pact is ratified, the possibility is being anxiously discussed. It is believed in some quarters that negotiations have actually reached the stage at which .Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler are studying the best means of bringing pressure to bear on the Locarno signatories. Mutual “Bluff” The diplomatic correspondent of the “News Chronicle” says that an Italo-German anti-league alliance is most improbable. The general impression in London is that Italy and Germany are using each other for bluff. Germany apparently thinks that she can frighten France put of ratifying the FrancoSoviet pact, and Italy that she can frighten the league out of imposing further sanctions. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” says that there is no real evidence that Italy and Germany have drawn closer together. The Franco-Soviet pact does not concern Italy and does not affect her interests, while Germany is still most reluctant to estrange Britain. Herr Hitler thinks, rightly or wrongly, that the dispute between Italy and the league is really an Anglo-Indian dispute, and may lead to a Mediterranean war. By ranging herself on Italy’s side Germany, according to Herr Hitler’s view, would be ranging herself against Britain. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” emphasises M. Flandin’s readiness to submit to The Hague the question whether the FrancoSoviet pact is compatible with the Locarno Treaty. This does not mean that the ratification of the pact will be delayed until the document is received at The Hague Court for approval. The French Government’s view is that The Hague Court’s judgment will be conclusive on the legal issue, besides affording fresh proof of Fr|nch good faith. Germany is represented in the court.