MUSSOLINI, ITALY AND EUROPE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 148, 20 March 1934, Page 8

MUSSOLINI, ITALY AND EUROPE

The cabled report of the second quinquennial meeting of the Fascist regime in Italy is confined to a summary of Signor Mussolini s statement of foreign policy. He feels emboldened to make certain announcements to Europe which are distinctly provocative of discussion. For example, expansion in Africa and Asia—not territorial conquest, but, as he puts it, “nations in possession must not block Italian expansion.” In what directions? Trade? Migration? The alternative to territorial conquest as a means of expansion is peaceful penetration in trade and through emigration. The next item of importance to Europe is his remark, obviouslyaddressed to France, that “an armed State which was not executing one-fifth of the Versailles Treaty could not logically oppose the application for parity and rights to Germany.” European diplomacy cannot be altogether blind to the fact that Italy’s support of a sister Fascist State (Germany), together with her professions of friendship for Austria, and the concluding of a Danubian agreement embracing Italy, Austria, and Hungary, constitutes a powerful bloc in which the principle of dictatorship is largely predominant, and likely' to become more so. Signor Mussolini has an undoubted flair for international diplomacy, and he has displayed consummate skill in grouping nations within his sphere of influence. To a considerable extent he has succeeded in isolating France and clearing the ground for more emphatic assertions on behalf of Germany’s claims. Furthermore, he is demanding the reform of the League of Nations as the next order of business after the conclusion of the Disarmament Conference. It is highly probable that in the long run he will get his way. His is a practical mind. It was through his instrumentality that Germany concluded a pact of non-aggression with Poland, thus eliminating the latter as a provocative element in FrancoGerman relationships. Moreover) his influence is plainly visible in the conciliatory tone of the latest German Note to France. By various means he is manoeuvring France into a position which will compel that country either to abandon her policy of intransigeance or remain “offside” in European opinion. It is not inconceivable that the world may yet have Signor Mussolini to thank for a short cut to international peace. /