FRIENDS AGAIN!

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1938, Page 7

FRIENDS AGAIN!

BRITAIN AND ITALY NEW AGREEMENT SIGNED [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, April 16. Lord Perth (British Ambassador in Rome) and Count Ciano (Italian Foreign Minister) signed the Anglo-Ital-ian agreement in the Hall of Victories in the Palazzo Chigi. The Egyptian Minister signed the annexes concerning Egypt. The official text of the agreement, which arrived from Rome this mqrning by aeroplane, was subject to minor amendments before being released. The agreement consists of a protocol with instruments annexed, the exchange of letters between Signor Mussolini and the Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain), and an agreement covering the interim until the completion of the negotiations dealing with East Africa.

The British and Italian Governments, animated by a desire to place their relations on a solid and lasting basis and to contribute to the general cause of peace and security, reaffirm the Anglo-Italian Mediterranean declaration of January 2, 1937. They agree to a periodical exchange of information concerning their armed forces in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, Egypt, the Sudan, Italian East Africa, British Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika. A comprehensive agreement about the Middle East binds the parties to respect the integrity and independence of Saudi Arabia, the Yemen, and certain islands in the Red Sea, and regularises Italy's rights in the Aden protectorate. Great Britain agrees not to construct military works except for defence in Saudi Arabia or the Yemen, or foi’ Empire communications. Great Britain and Italy declare that neither will employ publicity or propaganda that would injure either’s interests. •*"

Italy reaffirms her assurances and obligations to Great Britain regarding Lake Tsana (in Abyssinia) with which the Egyptian Government is associated. Italy reaffirms that Italian natives in East Africa shall'not be compelled to undertake military duties, and undertakes to recognise the free exercise of religion for British nationals in Italian East Africa.

Great Britain and Italy agree to abide by the Suez Canal Convention of 1888, guaranteeing the free use of the canal in war or peace. Italy will withdraw 1000 troops a week from Libya, and will continue to do so until peace-time strength is regained. Italy will accede to the London Naval Treaty of 1936. Italy pledges herself to -withdraw from Spain on conditions determined by the Non-Intervention Committee. Italy declares that she has no territorial and no political aims, and does not seek any 'privileged economic position in Spain, the Balearic Islands, or Spanish Morocco.

by the Non-Intervention Committee. Italy declares that she has no territorial and no political aims, and does not seek any privileged economic position in Spain, the Balearic Islands, or Spanish Morocco. Great Britain agrees to initiate in the Council of the League of Nations action to clarify the situation about the recognition of Italian sovereignty in Ethiopia. The Australian Associated Press says that from the moment that the Prime Minister received Count Grandi (Italian Ambassador in London) on February 21, immediately after . Mr. Eden’s resignation, there has been no hitch in the negotiations, which have almost set a record in rapidity for such a comprehensive international instrument. There has been some hard bargaining. Nevertheless, agreement has never been in doubt. FURTHER PARTICULARS, [BBITISH OFFICIAL WIBELESB.I • RUGBY, April 16. The Anglo-Italian agreement specifies the instrumetns- which have been drawn up and annexed to the protocol, and provides that they shall come into force on such date as the two Governments shall together determine. It further states that upon these instruments taking effect the Egyptian Government will be invited to participate in the negotiations' in which it is l concerned. The withdrawal of the Italian forces from Libya will constitute, a reduction by not less than half of. the forces present in Libya when, the conversations opened. The Italian Government undertakes, that if the evacuation of foreign volunteers from Spain has not been completed at the close of the Spanish civil war, all remaining Italian volunteers will forthwith leave Spanish territory and all Italian war material will simultaneously be withdrawn. In taking note of the Italian assurances about Spain, the British Government repeats that it regards the settlement of the Spanish question as a prerequisite of the entry into force of the Anglo-Italian agreement. The agreement covering the period between the date of the signature of the main agreement and the. completion of the negotiations, dealing with specific East African matters will provide for co-operation to prevent evasion of the slavery laws of the respective territories, and to prevent the enrolment of the nationals' of one party in the native military formations of the other.

LEADERS EXCHANGE MESSAGES. LONDON, April 16. The Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) telegraphed to Signor Mussolini: “I am delighted to [earof" the successful outcome of the conversations. I would like to say how much I and my colleagues appreciated the spirit of goodwill and co-bperation. applied in the discussions. 1 hope that when the agreement comes into full operation it will dispose of the outstanding points of difference. I confidently expect that thereafter Anglo-Italian relations will again be firmly based on the confidence and friendship that have so long existed) in the past.” Signor Mussolini replied: “T thank you warmly for your message. I am indeed glad that the conversations have so happily ended, and 1 that the agreement gives you, as it does' me, full satisfaction, o I equally appreciated the work of Lord Perth and all contributing to the agreement. Such a frank and full settlement places British and Italian . relations on a solid and durable basis. I am convolved that the new period of confidence and friendship which you and I desire, according to the traditional

I British and Italian relationship, can now be opened.” FOUR POWER PACT. LONDON, April 16. !' ; The Rome correspondent of the ‘‘Daily Mail" reports; that active preparations are being taken to open I diplomatic conversations in Paris and [Berlin for the creation of a fourI Power consultative measure among Italy, Germany, Great Britain, and France. This move follows the good reeeption given to the Anglo-Italian rapprochement in all the European capitals. The Italian Press, in big headlines, announces the end of British and Italian tension. Dr. Gaydd declares that the agreement carries prospects of peace throughout Europe, and reassures Germany that she need not fear the weakening of the BerlinRome axis, proof of which is that Berlin was kept informed of the negotiations throughout. SPANISH GOVT’S. PROTEST. BARCELONA, April 16. “I solemnly protest against the Anglo-Italian agreement, which presumes that the Spanish Republicans are already defeated,” declared 1 Signor J. Negrin (the Spanish Prime Minister) in a broadcast. \‘‘The Republic has only now begun the fight, and possesses more war material than when the rebel offensive started and will further increase it," he said. “We have already stopped the insurgents, and will soon recapture all Catalonia. Our brave people will again surprise the, world. We only ask that our legal rights should be established, and non-intervention ended.” s LABOUR HOSTILITY. (Received April 18, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 17. Mr Attlee, addressing the Perth Labour conference, described 1 the AngloItalian Pact as a bad bargain, which has abandoned League ideals, adopted the Mussolini attitude to the world, and delivered a great blow to the world’s democracies.- It was an accession of strength to the aggressors. It was not a peace agreement, but a manoeuvre for another war. The Independent Labour Party Conference ' at Manchester passed a resolution declaring the British Cabinet policy, was openly on side with the Spanish Fascists. It urged the working class to oppose the armament policy and form a front to defeat the Government. MR LYONS’ APPROVAL. (Recd. April 18. 8 a.m.) CANBERRA, April 17. The Prime Minister said the people of the Commonwealth would be delighted at the reconciliation of Britain and Italy. Mr Lyons is convinced the agreement will make a substantial contribution to the appeasement of Europe. SATISFACTION IN U.S.A. NEW YORK, April 17. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that the Anglo-Italian pact was received 1 with satisfaction, as marking the successful conclusion of the first move ini the realistic foreign policy of the British Prime Minister, which. United States .officials have been 1 following sympathetically, because-of their belief; that it means that the immediate danger of a European war has been greatly diminished. The chief interest in Washington centres in the possible effect of the pact on the Rome-Berlin axis. It is assumed at. present that Great Britain is certain to recognise tire Italian conquest of Ethiopia, which will directly pose a question for America to decide. It is indicated that the Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) will avoid hasty action in this matter. . ABYSSINIAN FIGHTING. LONDON, April 16. There has been heavy fighting in Abyssinia since February. Large Italian contingents have moved to Gojjam from Massawa and from As 1 - mara. Twenty battalions and the greater part of the air force are operating. , The Italian losses) are, heavy and the wounded are crowding! Addis Ababa and other towns. Many are being sent home. The financial difficulties of the Administration are increasing, and many traders are selling out.