ENGLAND AND ITALY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 87, 12 April 1923, Page 7

ENGLAND AND ITALY

AS THE FASCISTS SEE US

THE BRITISH LAKE.

(WOK OUR' OWN CORXISPONBKNT.)

LONDON, 27th February. If English people were more interested in foreign criticism there is ample material in the Nationalist and Fascist Press to furnish them with a complete picture of a very crafty, grasping, and successful John Bull. The portrait (says the correspondent of "The Observer ) has been painted with the same colours ever since the Armistice, and renewed with a few vivid touches as occasion demanded. While at Fiume, D'Annunzio Bummed up our character, as he interpreted it for the Italian people, in a phrase which evidently pleased Mussolini in old days, for he used to quote it in his speeches. We were "the nation of the five meala." It was an alarming thought to both the poet-soldier and the Fascist leader that no chunk of the terrestial world seemed safe from our jaws. Now, confronted with stern realities as Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well an. Prime Minister, Mussolini has dropped his open campaign against the offending British Empire like an old-fashioned coat, but to what end\ he allows a submissive Press to continue letting off steam against England every few days only the future can show.

The fundamental basis of Italian foreign policy is peace. "No other policy is consistent with her present circumstances, and with the needs and interests of her people," Mussolini said in hie wise and measured speech to the Senate only a week ago. His treatment-of the Adriatic question showed both vision and statesmanship; he would not allpw himself to be mesmerised by the Adriatic Sea. But in realising that the Adriatic is by no means the sole pivot of Italian interests, he opens out fresh vistas for Italian enterprise. The following phrase from his last speech on foreign policy, with its original metaphor, hag been much quoted and commented on in the Press:—"One must have the oourage to say that Italy cannot remain nailed for ever in one sea, even if it be the Adriatic; there is the Mediterranean, and there are other seas which may interest us.'* ' ITALY A SEA POWER, This has given the Nationalist Press food fotf reflection, and their official organ, "L'ldea Nazionale,". publishes a leading article by "a naval authority," who thinks that it is of the greatest importance that Italy should become a strong sea-Power. As usual, England obstructs the way. He surveys our lurid .past to show how we have always played for our own hand with a callous disregard for the welfare of others, and is gloomy about our moral improvement. The gist of his articles is that Eng-.. land supports Greece against. Italy just as she helped Italy during the Eisorgimento as a counter-foil; to France. "Lloyd George unsuccessfully attempted the Greek march on Constantinople with his disconcerting policy. Bonar Law will succeed with English slimness." The j writer thinks that the ultimatum given j to Turkey during the comedy of Lau- [ sanne was intended to provoke a refusal because we are as anxious to remain at Chanak a# the Greeks were 'in the Trojan war. No one, he continues, is able to prevent England from inviting Greece to co-operate and open up the i road to Constantinople. Italy's word counts for very little in the matter, and he asks whether Italy is always to be kept in,a condition of subjection in the Mediterranean.

Judged by precedents, as seen by "the naval expert," little can be hoped for from a country which "has pushed France into Tunis, corroded Italian nationality in Malta, paralysed Italian influence in the Adriatic, and obstructed the development of our submarine force which would enable us to rule in the Mediterranean—the sea once known as Mare nostrum, and now a.British lake."

Prince S, Gaiiiwad, of India, who,is touring the Poramion, arrived in Wellington yesterday.