HUSH-HUSH POLICY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 225, 5 September 1928, Page 5

HUSH-HUSH POLICY

ANGLO-FRENCH NAVAL AGREEMENT. “A MUDDLE AND A MYSTERY.” I Australian and N.Z. Press Assn.) London, Sept. 4. The “Daily Express, ” correspondent at Toulon, describing the AngloFrench naval agreement at present as both a muddle and a mytsery, says: “America believes the French and British navies have virtually become one, and that they will be pooled so that Britain can command the Atlantic, in return for special concessions to France in the Mediterranean. “Secondly, Germany believes the security against French aggression hitherto given by Britain has almost vanished, and that Britain will allow France to omit reservists when making a statement of her armed forces. “Thirdy, Italy believes France will be allowed to build as many submarines as she pleases in the Mediterranean. “These are the disagreeable results of the hush-hush policy. The mischief can only be undone by the publication of the agreement.” UNEASINESS IN ITALIAN CIRCLES. ITimes Cable.) London, Sept. 4. “The Times,’ ” Rome correspondent states that the uneasiness in certain Italian circles regarding the Franco naval agreement is reflected in an article in the “Tribune,” declaring that the fruits thereof are already visible in the atmosphere of suspicion and scepti cism surrounding the Kellogg Paet, perturbation regarding Albania, and growing doubts relating to the disarmament conference. “Signoretto,” in a leadeh in the “L’Avoro d’ltalia,” expresses the opinion that the traditional AngloItalian friendship has seldom known such coolness since its inauguration in 1860. He hopes “it will be a passing phase, but it is difficult to understand why Britain, which hitherto realised Italy’s eonciliatoriness, is now displaying solidarity with France, -which since 1919, has persistently sought to diminish Italian influence. Britain must have fully known that such action is opposed to Italian orientation.”