TALKS AT ROME

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 November 1935, Page 5

TALKS AT ROME

HUM’S NEW MOVE? Hurried Cabinet Meeting Follows Ambassador’s Report POSITION IN MEDITERRANEAN PROPOSALS NOT DISCLOSED

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) Received 1 p.m. to-day. LONDON, Nov. 6.

Following a meeting between Sir Eric Drummond (British Ambassador) and Signor Mussolini at Rome, Mr Stanley Baldwin hurriedly summoned Sir Samuel Hoare (Foreign Secretary), Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell (First Lord of the Admiralty), Sir Philip CuriliffcLister (Minister of Air) and other members of the Cabinet and defence officials and conferred with them.

It is emphasised in London that the conversations between Signor Mussolini and Sir Eric Drummond are at quite a preliminary stage, and in view of the reciprocal wish for satisfactory progress it is likely that further talks between the ambassador and the head of the Italian Government will take place as opportunity occurs. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says the meeting discussed the possibility of the withdrawal of two battleships and other vessels from the Mediterranean if Signor Mussolini would agree to recall more troops from Libya. The Rome correspondent of the “News-Clironicle” says it is believed Signor Mussolini will agree to withdraw another division if Britain removes some of her warships. The Rome correspondent of the “Times” says the foreign spokesman states that Signor Mussolini probably referred to the withdrawal of a division from Libya, expressing the expectation that it would bo appreciated at London. Sir Eric Drummond explained the reasons for Britain’s lack of response to the suggestion; nevertheless the visit is regarded as encouraging.