STRESEMANN'S REPLY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 118, 12 February 1926, Page 9

STRESEMANN'S REPLY

TO MUSSOLINI’S OUTBURST

CLAIMS OF MINORITIES ABROAD

GERMANY’S RIGHT TO SUPPORT THEM

Dr. Stresemann declared that Signor Mussolini’s outburst was more suited to mass meetings than to international discussions. The speech, he added, was regarded all over the world as a threat of war against Germany and Austria, and such a threat was incompatible with the spirit of the League.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. CoPymgHt.

Berlin, February 10.

In the Reichstag Dr. Stresemann, I’oreign Minister, declared that the German Government declined to reply to Signor Mussolini’s outburst in terms similar to it. Signor Mussolini’s speech, he said, was more suited to mass meetings than to international discussions. The Minister proceeded to read a statement in which he emphasised that the German Government had no quarrel with Italy. He recalled Signor Mussolini’s assertions in 1920 on the absence of conflicting economic and political interests between Italy and Germany. The keynote of the speech, which was applauded by all parties, was the insistence of Germany’s right to support the culture claims of her minorities abroad, and her determination to support them before the League of Nations. Dr. Stresemann reasserted Germany’s intention of respecting Italian , sovereignty in the South Tyrol. _ “There is such a thing as international morality,” he added. “Despite numerous Italian decrees promising to respect the rights of the minority in South Tyrol, the Fascist regime is steadily, working towards tile de-Ger-manisation of that region.” Dr. Stresemann admitted that the newspapers -had published false reports and that some private individuals at Munich had appealed for a boycott of Italian goods, but he declared' that it would be absurd to threaten a breach of international commercial agreement owing to an unimportant movement of private persons which the Government disowned. If Signor Mussolini thought that the changed attitude of the German Press was due to the Government's order, he forgot that it was as impossible arbitrarily to restrict the freedom of .the Press in Berlin as in Rome. The Reich did not intend to forbid the German Press from expressing sympathy for a land and people which had been German for centuries. If, owing to the oppression of the people, danger of a disturbance of the peace arose, then an appeal would be made to the League of Nations. Signor Mussolini's speech was regarded all over the world as a threat of war against Germany and Austria. Such a threat was incompatible with the spirit of the League. Dr. Stresemann reproved the Bavarian Premier, and reasserted that the Reich Government was responsible for Germany’s foreign policy. He concluded by saying that while Germany wanted to live at peace with Italy, he repudiated the threats levelled 'at Germany.—Reuter.

MUSSOLINI’S REJOINDER MORE MODERATE THAN EXPECTED (Rec. February 11, 7.10 p.m.) London, February 11. Signor Mussolini sat up late on Tuesday night receiving a report of Dr. Stresemann’s reply and preparing yesterday’s rejoinder, which is considered in Rome to be more moderate than expected. It is not likely that the German Government will continue the duel on the matter. Probably it will drop unless an untoward incident revives it. In the meantime absurd stories are circulated both in Germany and Italy, and carry their own contradiction such as “Der Tag’s” story that Signor Mussolini, during the early period of the Ruhr occupation, aspired to lead a group of Powers, including “tormented Germany,” against France, in order to make Italy a world Power.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

QUESTION FOR LEAGUE TYROLEAN PRESIDENT’S VIEW Paris, February 10. A message from Innsbruck states that President Stumpf, in the Tyrolean Diet, referring to the possible advance of the Italian front northwards, adumbrated by Signor Mussolini, said that he would ask the Austrian Federal Government to see whether the question should not be submitted to*the League of Nations.—Renter. SEIZURE OF ARMS IN TYROL Rome, February 10. The newspapers publish accounts of the seizure on the Lavarone Plateau, in the Tyrol, of some twenty tons of arms and ammunition, including a machinegun. The possessors of the arms, according to a report, were frequently visited by emissaries from Munich. There were similar seizures in two other centres. Five arrests have been made and more arc expected.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. COLLECTION OF WARTIME WEAPONS (Rcc. February 11, 7.10 p.m.) London. February 11. The story of the discovery of arms in the Tyrol appears to be founded only on a collection of war-time weapons surrendered to the authorities by former soldiers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.