THE MEDITERRANEAN

Evening Star, Issue 23564, 1 May 1940, Page 7

THE MEDITERRANEAN

BRITISH SHIPPING DIVERTED A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE RESULT OF ITALIAN PRONOUNCEMENTS Press Association —By Telegraph—Coypright LONDON, April 30. (Received May 1, at 10.45 a.m.) The Government, as a precautionary measure, is diverting British shipping from the Mediterranean. The Associated Press learns on the most reliable authority that the precautions have been taken because of the character of the pronouncements by responsible Italians; also the attitude of the Italian Press. Britain does not in- ' tend to continue the precautions longer than necessary. ITALY HOT NEUTRAL ALLIED TO GERMANY ROME PAPER'S DECLARATION ROME, April 30. (Received May 1, at 10.45 a.m.) “ Mr Monzies must bring bis ideas up to date,” says the 1 Giornalc d’ltalia,’ condemning Mr Menzies’s references to Italy as a neutral. “ Italy is not neutral. She is allied to Germany. She has her own interests to defend_ and is reconstructed and organised to defend them vigorously. Italy is determined to fight for her liberty in the Mediterranean.” VATICAN NEWSPAPER PHENOMENAL INCREASE IN POPULARITY ROME, April 30. (Received May 1, at 1.15 p.m.) The phenomenal increase in the popularity of the ‘ Osservatore Romano,’ due to the impartiality of war news presentation, has resulted in the ‘ Regime Fascista ’ asking whether “ the time has not corao to suppress this paper—the servant of Italy’s enemies and obvious spokesman of the Jews.” The ‘ Osservatore Romano’s ’ circulation has increased from 9,000 to 200,000 since the outbreak of the war, and is now the largest in Italy. ITALIAN NAVY NEW BATTLESHIP IN SERVICE ROME, April 30. i (Received May 1, at 10.35 a.m.) The Vittorio Vencto. first of four new battleships, has been put into active service. A sister ship, the Littorio, is expected to be in service soon. AUSTRALIA HOUSE REST ROOM FOR SERVICEMEN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 30. (Received May 1, at 11 a.m.) A rest and reception room has been opened in Australia House by Australian women, who will give voluntary services, for the Australian forces in the three services. ORDERED TO SELL SHARES AUSTRALIAN HOLDERS IN AMERICAN COMPANIES CANBERRA, May 1. (Received My 1, at 9.15 a.m.) The Federal Treasurer, Mr Spender, announced that Australian holders of shares in 20 specified American companies have been ordered to dispose of their shares within the next six months and thereafter lodge the proceeds in dollars in the Commonwealth Bank in Now York. They will ultimately receive payment in Australian currency. This move is designed to conserve foreign exchange. RISE OF DICTATORSHIPS FOUNDED ON PERSECUTION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 30. (Received May 1, at 11.50 a.m.) The annual report of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party, after dealing with the progress of the movement since the foundation of the labour Representation Committee 40 years ago, draws attention to the rise of dictatorships, which it describes as being “ founded on the persecution of all who cherish freedom.” Trade unionists, Socialists, cooperators, Jews, and liberal-minded Christians, the report continues, had been treated with cruelties hitherto associated with medieval times. Speaking of Hitler’s Germany, the report points out that Aqstrians, Sudetans, Czechs, and Poles had been subjected to Nazi tyranny under the guise of territorial rectification. “'This threat,” the report adds, “ must be resisted if life throughout Europe and the world is to offer any hope for advancement. As far as British Labour is concerned, the chief aim of the present struggle is the age old claim for simple human rights,”- j