PROMPT RETORT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 59, 7 September 1937, Page 11

PROMPT RETORT

ATTITUDE IN ROME

NO RESPONSIBILITY

MAY REFUSE TO SIT AT CONFERENCE

(Received September 7, 1.20 pjn.) LONDON, September 6.

An official Italian statement indicates that the Government "promptly and decidedly rejected all responsibility for the sinking of the Russian ships, and Italy therefore rejects the demands for reparation and punishment."

The spokesman added that Italy is not surprised at Moscow's gesture, which "is undoubtedly intended to sabotage the1 Mediterranean Conference." ■"■ ' . •

In political circles in Rome it is believed that Italy may refuse to sit at the same conference table as the Soviet, representatives. ' ■ The diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says it is believed that the British delegation will press for the appointment of an expert committee to consider purely , technical problems. If general agreement is not obtained, Britain will be obliged to apply protection measures in the Mediterranean with the co-operation of other Powers which are willing to help. •'.;■• Greece is the first nation to reply accepting the invitation to the conference. ''I A Rome message declares that Count Ciano stated that Italy will reply as soon ' as possible. ■ • Germany is expected to accept, although she is reluctant to confer with the Soviet, contending that the Soviet's activities in: non-intervention should convince the other Powers that Russia is only a disturbing factor in all efforts to localise the Spanish conflict ■■.; ,- , ' ■ „ . A message from Moscow states that unless Russia is satisfied with the outcome of the conference, Soviet warships will probably be sent to the Mediterranean to protect her own merchantmen. It is predicted that the Foreign Minister, M. Litvinov, will not hesitate at the conference to accuse Italy of responsibility for the sinkings. ■ :. /.■ ' ,