ITALIAN ANXIETY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 143, 2 June 1936, Page 7

ITALIAN ANXIETY

Marked Drop in Anti-British Propaganda ROME LOOKS TO LONDON (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, June 1. Evidence is reaching London from all quarters of Italy’s anxiety to establish better relations with Britain before the fateful date, June 16, when the League faces the accomplished fact of Italy’s conquest of Ethiopia.

A reliable authority at Romo says that an atmosphere of optimism has already been created, accompanied by a marked drop in the anti-British pro paganda. It is difficult, however, to ascertain the facts noon which the change is based, for there are no signs from London of any change in the Go vernment’s policy against bilateral agreement outside the League There is one important factor, namely, fear. Italy fears the effects of Haili Seilassie's visit to London, fears the fusion of anti-Fascist passion in F.ng land and France, fears the influence of English religious opinion fanned by the Archbishop of Canterbury's repeat ed denunciations, and, finally, is con cerned about the diminution of Italy’s trade and gold reserve. These factors may be sufficient to account for Italy’s sudden courtship of Britannia. The “Daily Mail’s” Rome correspondent confirms the wave of optimism. Italy’s re-orientation towards Ik Hain is the (subject of Press comment U Paris. “Pertiuax” suggests that Brit ish rearmament is the reason for the change. “Lr Petit Parisicn’s ” special correspondent, who has just returned from Rome, says: “During these last three weeks I have been witnessing a change and it is towards London rather than towards Paris’ that the Italians are looking to-day. It is curious how sensitive is public opinion in Romo to the slightest influence.”