MUSSOLINI'S PLAN

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 66, 20 March 1933, Page 8

MUSSOLINI'S PLAN

NEW EUKOPEAN PACT

FAVOURABLE IMPRESSION

United Press Association—By Electric Tel»*

(Received March 20, 2 p.m.")

ROME, March 19.

The lengthy conversations between Signor Mussolini and the British Ministers were conducted with the greatest cordiality. They reveal an even closer affinity between the British and Italian: standpoints than was expected. It is understood that Signor Mussolini's project, already mentioned, coincides at so' many points with Mr. MacDonaldV Geneva Draft Convention that it is believed in some quarters that the Mussolini plan, which has already beea communicated to the French and; German Embassies, will be given precedence with a view to forming tha basis of a new European pact. It is understood that M. Daladier and Herr Hitler will be invited to Rome.

Assuming their assent to Mussolini's, plan Italy envisages the four great1 Powers signing an. agreement at Borne, i The Peace Treaties played an important part in the conversations, and Signer Mussolini considered! that re* vision was necessary but that force must be avoided. ' • . '

The "Daily Telegraph's" Rome correspondent says that Signor Mussolini's draft treaty of eight or nine clauses covers five typewritten pages. Tho scheme requires no new commitments from Britain. All existing treaties, including Locarno, are recognised. The political and armaments truce will last for five years.

The situation for which Italy is striving is one in which four Powers ara loosely linked: instead of being divided into groups perpetuating the Peace ■Treaty status.

"Signor Mussolini's influence on Herr Hitler gives him the key position for attacking the basic difficulty, which ig Franco-German relations, and the French thesis of the integrity of the Peace Treaties."

Other Ronio correspondents. emphasise the utmost reserve in British and Italian official quarters regarding the; precise meaning of the communique and the terms of the so-called draft treaty.'