ITALIAN REGRET

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 January 1939, Page 7

ITALIAN REGRET

ROME TALKS’ RESULT MUSSOLINI AND SPAIN [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON. January 16. A sense of disappointment accompanied Mr. Chamberlain’s departure, says the Romo correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” Popular feeling assumed that Mr. Chamberlain, by a wave of his magic umbrella, would remove Italy from the threat of another war. It should not be overlooked that Italj' has been at war for three years, and this has exhausted her war reserves, particularly aircraft. While hotheads are confident that Italy can embark on a conflict against France, Signor Mussolini has a clearer appreciation of the true position. Italy’s claims will not. be dropped, but if the initiative is left to her, they will not be pushed to the threshold of war. Germany is reliably stated to be counselling caution, It is officially stated that Signor Mussolini told Mr. Chamberlain that, until the Spanish conflict is ended, it is absolutely useless to talk of ItalianFrench arbitration, or of mediation, or of a Four-Power Pact, and of still less use to talk of a Three-Power Pact. He added that Italy would resume her liberty of action if there were any big scale intervention of behalf of Barcelonan The Italians, he added, would not be withdrawn until General Franco was granted belligerent rights.

ANGLO-FRENCH TALK.

GENEVA, January 16.

Lord Halifax entertained M. Bonnet at dinner here, and reported,on the Rome talks.

SPANISH TERRITORIES.

GENEVA, January 16.

French circles reveal that Lord Halifax told M. Bonnet that Mussolini authorised Mr Chamberlain to tell the House of Commons that Italy formally reaffirmed the promise to respect the territorial integrity of Spain, the Balearics and the Spanish colonies.

LONDON PRESS ESTIMATE

RUGBY, January 16.

In an attempt to assess (he true value of Mr. Chamberlain’s Rome visit, “The Times,” says: It would be a profound mistake, just because the results are not spectacular, to describe them in terms of victory or defeat. Whatever gains have, been made, accrue to both, and are shared by both peoples. Perhaps the greatest gain has been Mussolini’s repeated assurance of the determination to work for European peace. It recognises this doos not imply that the Duce accepts the existing state of affairs between Italy and France in North East Africa, but it may be assumed that changes to be determined are not territorial, and will not be pressed by threats of war. “The Times” comments it may be safely said, also, that as far as British public opinion is concerned, they are likely to be supported in inverse ratio to the amount of warlike pressure behind.

Referring to the civil war in Spain, as material for a stumbling block to progress, “The Times” says: Large scale participation by Italian troops continues a main obstacle, together ■with Franco’s obstinacy to an effective application of the plan of the NonIntervention Committee, and the time has not yet come when the British and Italian Governments can place some construction on its principal provisions.

The article concludes: “Mr. Chamberlain by his successive visits to the Continent has made the desire for peace articulate, where it was not articulate before. That, in itself, is no mean achievement.”

ANTI-FRENCH CAMPAIGN.

(Received January 17, 2.3'1 p.m.) LONDON, January 16

“The Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent says: Mr. Chamberlain’s arrival in London coincides with a recrudescence of the Italian-French dispute. Italians are of the opinion that justice will not reign in the Mediterranean until Italy s aspirations are satisfied. “The Times’s” Rome correspondent, pointing out the pause in tne press campangn against France, coincided exactlv with Mr. Chamberlain’s stay, believes the only explanation for the fresh incitement of public opinion against France, is that the Italians aie being prepared for whatever action the Government may take.

GERMAN PRESS ADVICE

BERLIN, January 16

The German Press combines its warnings to France against intervention in Spain, with statements that the demands against France will not be made in final form, before Franco’s victory, which is a matter of weeks.