THE MEDITERRANEAN

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1938, Page 7

THE MEDITERRANEAN

Franco-Italian Friction ROME, December 4. Lord Perth (British Ambassador) again visited the Italian Foreign Minister (Count Ciano) to whom, it is understood, he expressed Britain’s surprise and regret at an anti-French demonstration on November 30, apparently with Government approval. Count Ciano promised an answer from Signor Mussolini, which international events may delay a few days. Meanwhile, though the Press are intensifying attacks, the Government does not accept responsibility for them. , < LONDON, December 4. The French Ambassador in Rome (M. Francois-Poncet) protested to the Foreign Minister (Count Ciano) against the demonstration which followed his speech in the Chamber of Deputies on Friday. The French Ambassador (M. Corbin) called at the Foreign Office and informed the British Government of the protest which his Government had lodged in Rome. Sir Alexander Cadogan assured M Corbin that Britain would support French resistance to Italy’s claims. The protest is described by “The Times” as proper and well justified. "The Times” suggests that it is well to bear in mind that the more one party seems bent upon appeasement, the bigger the opportunity may appear to another to raise the cost of aggreement. It emphasises that it is a matter of universal importance that diplomacy by agitation should not be allowed to take the place of diplomacy by consultation. The demonstration in the Italian Chamber is regarded as untimely by the “Daily Telegraph”, in the sense both that it follows France’s recognition of the Italian Empire and that it immediately precedes Mr Chamberlain’s impending visit to Rome. The “Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent says that monster demonstrations thiroughout Corsica protested against the incident (on November 30), at Ajjacio. The gathering smashed the windows of the Italian Consulate, and sent a message to M. Daladier affirming Corsica would have no flag but that of Austerlitz, Marne and Verdun. The Corsicans in Paris, Alsace, Morrocco, and Tunis held vehement protest meetings. Some were arrested at Tunis.

FRENCH ATTACK. ON ITALIAN PROPERTY IN TUNIS. (Received December 5, 8.10 p.m.) PARIS, December 5. Demonstrators in the city of Tunis wrecked an Italian bookshop. The French mounted police dispersed them, but not til] after the windows of the Italian Airline premises were smashed. FURTHER DEMONSTRATIONS. " (Independent Cable.) (Received December 5, 11.40 p.m.) PARIS. December 5. Following the Tunis and Corsica rioting, Mayors throughout Tunis and Corsica sent telegrams to the French Government protesting against the Italian demands regarding Tunisca and Corsica, and expressing loyalty to France. The demonstrations went on all through the night with a list of casualties estimated at two or three hundred.