VAST NUMBER OF POSTERS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 195, 14 May 1940, Page 8

VAST NUMBER OF POSTERS

British Envoy’s Inquiry (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received May 13, 7.50 p.m.) . LONDON, May 13. A new outburst by the Piess against the Allied contraband control has followed the publication of a report by the Bureau of Economic ■Warfare, which bitterly coinplains of the allegedly disastrous effect of it on Italian commerce, states a message from Rome. _ -The Press is also making frenzied effort to support the German allegations that the Allies were on the point of invading Belgium, Holland and Luxemburg when Germany intervened. The Press does not allude to the Pope's messages to the invaded countries. Fascists obstructed the sale of the Vatican organ, “Osservatore Romano” [whose circulation since the war began was recently reported to have increased enormously through Italy]. They burnt copies on a railway station and threw readers into a city fountain. Squads of voting Fascists continue to plaster the streets of Italian cities with anti-British posters. It is estimated that 100,000 are posted in Rome alone, and 20,000 were dropped from a private aeroplane. Militant Fascists patrollea the streets to prevent the removal of the posters. A message from Cairo says that the Italian Minister, Count Mazzolmi, lias been summoned to Romo.

LONDON, May 12.

Rome reports that Signor Mussolini has ordered the strengthening ot the fortifications on the western Alpine frontier. , L _ It is authoritatively learnt in London (states British Official Wireless) that the British Ambassador m Rome has asked the Italian Government for an explanation of yesterday’s iricident in Rome when certain members of the British Embassy staff are reported to have been molested. It is further learnt that lie has been instructed by the British Government to draw the attention of the Italian Government to the unfortunate impression which is likely to be created by posters of an anti-British character. [lt was reported from Rome on Saturday: “.Mr. George Labouchere, secretary at the British Embassy, and Commander Rodd, assistant Naval Attache, were standing reading anti-British posters plastered outside a hotel when several men among the crowd are reported to have attacked them. Mr. Labouchere ami Commander Rodd telephoned the counsellor at the Embassy, Sir Noel Charles, who arrived at the place. Rhe police then escorted them to their cars, which in the meantime bad been plastered with similar posters. Sir Noel Charles insisted on the police removing the posters, when the crowd shouted disapproval.]