The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1926. BRITAIN AND ITALY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 September 1926, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1926. BRITAIN AND ITALY.

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clock In Haw-era, Jfanaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, F.ltham, Mangatoki. Kaponga, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Road and Ararata.

Opinion in Rome, according to n cable message published earlier this week, regards as certain an early meeting between Signor Mussolini and Sir Austen Chamberlain, whon, it seems, there may be suggested by the Italian statesman a treaty between his country and Britain for mutual support on all questions concerning the Mediterranean and general European policy. A treaty agreement between the two. Powers would be no new thing, and no change of front from that indicated in the present relationship. Britain has been friendly with Italy for long enough—she was one of our allies in the war—although the Fascist methods of Signor Mussolini may not altogether commend themselves to the British mind. But a'treaty inspired by Italy’s fear of Germany, and hastened to its conclusion by

indications of restored understanding between France and Germany, is another matter. British interests in the Mediterranean being all-important, Italy doubtless could- offer attractive terms for an alliance; but Signor Mussolini, peering into the future, sees the possibility of solid unity from the Italian frontier to the North Sea, and his object is to bring the might of Britain into the. scale to offset the possible menace to Italy of a Franco-German-Austrian alliance. In other words, his diplomacy has jumped back twenty years, to the bad old theory of the balance of power, which has been the curse of Europe .practically ever since the fall of the .Roman Empire. Mussolini apparently regards the ne\v< cordiality of France towards Germany —born of the “Locarno spirit”—as the first step towards the absorption of Austria by Germany. Admittedly such an outcome,would be viewed with grave distrust by Italy; but it is a mistake to assume that France is the one obstacle in the way of any ambitions which Germany may entertain in this direction. By the Treaty of Versailles, Germany is committed to respect the independence of Austria, and “agrees that this independence shall be inalienable, except with the consent of the Council of the League of Nations.” Be-ore Italy’s fears of having Germany as a neighbour arc realised, therefore, the Council of the League must be brought to sanction almost the very policy—of national greed and aggression—that the League was sot up. to overcome. Italy’s differences are more likely to arise with France, for Mussolini is known to have dreams of .an African Empire, the establishment. of which might easily lead him to tread on the toes of French colonial enterprise. In either event, Britain would be laying up for herself a store of trouble by consenting to a treaty of the type suggested. She can be friends with Italy without giving any blank cheques. Because of her geographical position ‘Great Britain can never hope to hold aloof from Continental affairs as America tries to do; but the English Channel is the greatest bulwark there ,is to the national strength of the English race —and perhaps also to the peace of Europe. If grouping of nations is again to become the fashion, if statesmen are to strive after a favourable balance of pow<?r, then the , Great War will have been fought in vain. By ,setting lior face aga'inst any such grouping and refusing to be party to any treaty having that object, ' as well as by standing solidly behind the League of Nations, Great Britain may be the means of saving civilisation from another drenching in blood.