The Dominion. MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1940. ITALIAN THREATS TO GREECE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 284, 26 August 1940, Page 6

The Dominion. MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1940. ITALIAN THREATS TO GREECE

The aspect of the situation between Greece and Italy during the past few days has become very threatening. Reports of an Italian ultimatum calling upon Greece to renounce the British guarantee of protection against aggression have been countered by demals in authoritative Fascist quarters that any ultimatum has been sent, it is extremely doubtful, however, whether Italy would stand upon the formality of presenting an ultimatum if an attack were contemplated. Neither Hitler nor Mussolini has ever followed established precedent in this connexion. Each has adopted a technique which by this time has become familiar. . Taking some incident as a pretext —usually something engmeere by Fifth Column agents—the instructed officially-controlled Press engages in a campaign of vilification and threats against the intended victim of attack. Thus a state of tension is created leading to precautionary measures in the threatened State. The result is further tension, and at the psychological moment the aggressor launches his attack. No time is wasted on formalities. This technique is now to be observed in operation against Greece. Whether it will run its full course remains to be seen. The situation at. present has reached the stage where military preparations on both sides of the frontier, according to report, have become somewhat pronounced. If Greece is attacked not only Britain, but very possibly Turkey and Egypt, will intervene, and Italy’s difficulties in the Eastern Mediterranean will be enormously, increased On the other hand, it has been pointed out, the inteiests of the Axis Powers would lie better served if Greece could be. induced to renounce the British guarantee of protection and definitely stay out of the war. It is evident from the reports that pressure, is being applied in this direction, but Greece thus far has given no indication that she is prepared to submit tamely to Italian dictation of her own policy, or to be terrorized by threats.