LOOKING FOR HELP

Evening Star, Issue 22276, 29 February 1936, Page 15

LOOKING FOR HELP

ITALY APPROACHES GERMANY MUSSOLINI'S HINTS TO FRANCE Pros* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 27. The Rome correspondent of ‘ The Times’ says: '‘Signor Mussolini, receiving the French Ambassador (M. Cbambrun), who was seeking enlightenment on current reports of an ItaloGerman agreement, said that while no agreement had yet been reached the recent conversations had so clarified the' positions and interests of the two countries that improved relations could be said to exist. It naturally followed that if tho respective situations facing Italy and Germany became even more threatening than at present it might not be difficult for them to reach an agreement. Signor Mussolini, it is stated, also pointed out that next week’s Geneva decisions might be very important for Italy, saying that France should reflect well before pledging herself to support fresh measures. M. Chamhrun, it is understood, assured Signor Mussolini that although France must naturally support the League and the Covenant she-- would exert all her influence on behalf of conciliation and against any extension of sanctions. Signor Mussolini is understood to have plainly indicated that any extension of sanctions might be interpreted by Italy as a threat to the continuance of the Locarno Treaty and existing French-Italian agreements. It is even reported that he hinted that one result of the more severe sanctions against Italy ' would be the eventual creation of a new balance of power in Europe.” GERMANY - HOT ENTHUSIASTIC LONDON, February 28. The Berlin correspondent of ‘ The Times’ says: “Well-informed persons declare that the conversations between Italy and Germany have not gone beyond the stage of an exchange of views on the Franco-Soviet Pact’s effect on Locarno. They may yet, he important, hut for the moment they are described as less important than the Italians represent. . Actually the initiative comes from the Italians, who would doubtless be glad to see Germany do something to relieve the sanctions pressure. Germany would probably not object to using Italy to help to defeat the Franco-Soviet Pact or compel revision of Locarno if the pact is ratified, but only if it can be done without compromising her own foreign policy, which it is declared continues to be based on ..the possibilities of co-opera-tion with Western Powers. Moreover, there is no liking for the Italians, no confidence in their loyalty, and no very high opinion of their value as military allies. For these and other reasons it is considered doubtful whether the conversations will actually go far. . ~ RUSSIA JUBILANT MOSCOW, February 28. (Received February 29, at noon.) Russia is jubilant at the ratification of the Franco-Soviet Pact. The ‘ Izvestia ’ states that Germany’s allegations of encirclement is merely an attempt to prepare a German aggressive policy; The Soviet, like France, desires to live in. peace. Germany does not intend to. resist obtaining satisfaction. ■ Reasonable German demands for the consolidation of the peace of Europe are more than ever essential to preserve peace in the Far East. , The French ratification of , the pact will show that Germany’s threats do not scare anyone.