ITALIAN INTERESTS

Evening Star, Issue 23130, 2 December 1938, Page 12

ITALIAN INTERESTS

ANTI-FREHCH DEMONSTRATIONS Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright ROME, December 1. (Received December 2, at 2 p.m.) During a speech by Count Ciano in the Chamber he declared the Government’s intention to safeguard the interests and aspirations of Italians. This brought anti-French demonstrations and cries of “Tunisia!” Tho demonstrations continued outside Parliament, the crowd shouting “ II Duce! Tunis! Corsica!” SIGNIFICANCE OF DEMONSTRATIONS WEAKENING ANGLO-FRENCH SOLIDARITY. LONDON, December 1. (Received December 2, at 2.30 p.m.) The Rome correspondent of ‘ The Times’ points out that it was a demonstration qf an altered opinion of France, not because the claims are taken seriously (although it is realised that the Italian grievances concerning Tunisia must be considered), but because of the conviction that Italy and Germany are engaged at present in a carefully-planned attempt to weaken Anglo-French solidarity, evidence of which can be seen in further German attacks on Britain when Herr von Ribbentrop is preparing to go to Prance and in the new Italian outburst against France when Mr Chamberlain is preparing to go to Rome. The ‘ Tribuna ’ in Rome declares that the French occupation of Tunis in 1881 was a “ grave insult.” that would be remembered by Italians. The paper adds that, in order to be friends with Italy, it will be necessary to repair the insults.