AN AGREEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1937, Page 6

AN AGREEMENT

GERMANY AND ITALY SPECIAL RIGHTS IN AUSTRIA. ROME, May 8. It is learned on high authority thai in .t talk between General Goering and Count Ciano, Italy agreed to recogn.se Germany's special rights in Austria ami to support her claim for colonies. Italy also expressed her vvillingnes to negotiate a military alliance with Germany. Italy is also taking steps to bm! the little kingdom of Albania more firmly to her side by eliminating al British influence and marrying Kin;: Zog to an Italian noblewoman. 'I he German Air Minister and tin! Italian Foreign Minister spent hours ii conference, alter which Goering hac ; an hour’s talk with Mussolini. Mussolini is understood to have told Goering that Germany’s “political an. economic expansion in Austria” mus! come about gradually. This again was conditioned by a further clause—“only if it /were justi fled by popular demand in 1 Austria.’ Ciano and Goering also discussed de tails of an ambitious programme foi the German and Italian air-lines whicl would link Berlin and Rome with Pah s tine Persia, Afghanistan, China, an Japan. When Count Ciano visits Zog of Al bahia within a few days he will deiham the dismissal of three British officer who now control the Albanian polici force. He will also insist that all oil con cessions shall be granted to Italian In stead of to British companies. While Rome officials 'insist that tli Italian Government has no intentioi of interfering with Zog’s private af fairs, they would not deny or con firm the suggestion that he is to marrj an Italian noblewoman. A previous romance of the King’; ' in December failed because of religou differences. Zog has recently bpen very morose, and has stayed in his piilace fo. weeks on end. One of the most “fired-at” mien in Europe. Ahmed Zog (or Zogu) is M He fought with the Austrians duiing the war. After becoming King—before tha' lie was President of the Republic—lie was fired at m a theatre, but tin shots struck bis aides.