THE CORFU CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 56, 4 September 1923, Page 7

THE CORFU CRISIS

fcJRVEV; OK WHOLE POSITION

HOW THE NATIONS ARE

AFFECTED.

{DJIHID mSS ASSOCIATION.—COPTMGHT.) (Son Cable.)

(Received 4th September, 11 a.m.)

LONDON, 3rd September.

"There will be no war." This phrase, |sys the diplomatic correspondent of the •'Daily News," expresses an extremely bonfidenfc riew in Italian circles in London. Probably, it also represents the official standpoint in Rome; which is disturbed by th© reception accorded to Italy's precipitate action, and particularly by Britain's attitude. For this and fctier material reasons, Italy does not desire to be involved in a serious Balkan war.

Corfu wag occupied as a pledge for fke submission of Greece, following the French precedent in the Ruhr. Italy regards the Greek war resources contemptuously, and does not believe that tha European Powers or the League of Nations will succeed in driving her from Corfu.

Italian officials declare that there is no intention to occupy any other territory, unless Greece takes an aggressive course, and no developments are to be expected at Fiume likely to further irritate Jugo-Slavia.

The British Government appreciates the extent of the danger. Briefly, it ias transferred its individual responsibility to the League of Nations, and has given Lord Robert Cecil clear and definite.instructions to promote action by the League. A full Cabinet supported this decision, by which Britain has subordinated her purely national interest to the larger interest of European peace. It may tie taken fo* granted that the British representatives are not concerned over the strategic consequences of the Corfu occupation, except so far as they concern general European interests. Undoubtedly a more serious turn has been given to the crisis by Italy's refusal to honour her signature of the League Covenant, but there is a disposition abroad to believe that Italy has not- said her last word on this matter. A great deal turns on France's attitude. Nothings so. far> has happened to support the suggestion that Prance might promise to assist Italy in return for better Italian support of the French Ruhr policy; indeed, the Balkan situation Mould become so complicated in the event of war that France might'find herself in an awkward position if she had openly espoused the Italian cause.

Lord Curzoh's visit to M. Boincare is unpremeditated, and it is hoped that good results will follow. If France and Britain co-operate wholeheartedly their effort will, it is bolieved, react favourabJy aid brighten the prospects of a peaceful solution of the-Ruhr problem.