MEDITERRANEAN RIVALRY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 63, 7 December 1938, Page 11

MEDITERRANEAN RIVALRY

Italian Claims May Be Dropped

LOYALTY OF CORSICA AND TUNIS

Attachment To France Demonstrated

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. LONDON, December 5.

Tlie Paris correspondent of the “Daily Mail” declares that France is ready to accept any challenge by Italy concerning Tunis and Corsica, but expects that the matter may be allowed to drop in view of Italian disclaimers pending the visit of Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax to Rome.

A correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” at Ajaccio states that the tricolour is flying throughout Corsica, where demonstrations against Italy continue. The Tunis correspondent of the same paper reports that the antiItalian disturbances were more serious than was previously disclosed, and resulted in 15 arrests, including seven Italians. Italian shops were extensively damaged.

In connection with Italy’s ou>burst, the French Premier, M. Dalad’cr. declared yesterday: “Since December 1 I have received thousands of telegrams from Corsican municipalities and associations, and also from Tunisians, renewing their attachment to France. I hope to visit Corsica and Tunis iu January. “Meanwhile, the spontaneous testimony of these communications is the best answer to the Italian demonstrations, against which France has protested and the Italian Government has dissociated itself.” He added that Frenchmen were resolved to secure the integrity of ail their territory. He urged Corsica and Tunis to refrain from demonstrations. The Cairo correspondent of “The Times” emphasizes Egyptian distrust of Italy, particularly regarding her aspirations in connexion with the Suez Canal. ANGLO-ITALIAN PACT NOT AFFECTED British Regret At Rome Outburst (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 5. No official Information is available regarding the visit of the British Ambassador in Rome (Lord Perth) to the Foreign Minister (Count Ciano), to inquire the meaning of the demonstration in the Fascist Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, but it is understood that Count Ciano in reply said he could not accept the responsibility for -spontaneous demonstrations, and that there was no question of impugning the validity of the Anglo-Italian agreement, under which the status quo in the Mediterranean is guaranteed. The Prime (Minister stated in reply to a question in the House of Commons that it was clear from the Italian Foreign Minister’s reply to the inquiries by Lord Perth that the Italian Government did not associate itself with the demonstration in the Italian Chamber on Wednesday. He added that he saw no reason to alter the arrangements for the visit to Rome by Lord Halifax and himself.

He explained that nothing in the Anglo-Italian agreement of last April affected in any way British obligations to France, and while Tunis, Corsica and Nice were not specifically mentioned in the negotiations before the agreement they were covered by Annex 1, which dealt with the maintenance of the status quo in the Mediterranean. ’

Mr. Chamberlain stated that the instructions given to Lord Perth on Saturday were to represent to Count Ciano that incidents such as the scene in the Chamber, unless steps were taken to correct the impression created, must have a most detrimental effect on the prospects of collaboration between the four Munich. Powers. BRITISH MINISTERS’ VISIT TO ROME (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 5. The visit to Rome of the Prime Minister and. the Foreign Secretary will extend over four days, from January 11 to 14. No agenda has been prepared for the limiting of subjects for discussion during what is primarily a courtesy visit, but it is assumed that current European questions will be reviewed comprehensively.