THE PATROL

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1937, Page 5

THE PATROL

SIGNING UP USING BRITISH AIRCRAFT. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright;. LONDON, SeptembeT 15. A squadron of reconnaissance livingboats,; from Felixtowo, will leave tor-Malta,-to-morrow, ■ to participate in the Mediterranean patrol. It will later be joined by a squadron from Pembroke Dock.

The measures for policing the Mediterranean against piratical attacks on merchantmen, estab.ished by the Nyon Agreement, will come into operation forthwith.

A Geneva message states that two annexes of the arrangement, on wliica the naval experts have been working, were signed this morning. The first designates the zones which each Power reserves for its submarine manoeuvres on the high seas, while the second sets out the principal maritime routes which merchantmen are to be advised to follow, and which will be placed under the protection of warships.

Broadcasting on the work of the Nyon Conference, Mr Eden said that the conference took as the kernel of the arrangement the rules laid down in the London Naval Treaty of 1950 since re-affirmed in the submarine protocol, signed last year by all the Powers invited to the conference. They did not believe that unknown submarines would or could continue pirate attacks, if these rules were enforced 'They had not admitted the rights of either party to the struggle to interfere with non-Spanish merchant ships, even i. the rules of war are observed. Britain’s own right to take any action pro per to protect her own merchant ships had not been affected. What had been done was to authorise a patrolling vessel to counter-attack, and, if possible, to destroy any submarine actually engaged in piracy. FRENCH PAPER'S STATEMENT. PARIS, September 15. “Italy is planning a vast new campaign to finish the Spanish war,” declares “L’Oeuvre.” “Marshal Badogiib. has just returned to Italy from a secret mission in Spain. He is reported to have informed Signor Mussolini that 150,000 more men with modern equipment, including gas, are ne.decl t enable the fall of Madrid before the weather breaks. General Franco is reported to have objected to such rutlilessness, but Italy intends to go ahead as retaliation for the Nvcn Agreement.’ NYON CONFERENCE ATTITUDE. LONDON,. September 1(5. The Geneva correspondent of “The Times'” says: The invitation to Italy to join in the Mediterranean scheme still stands, but the Nyon Conference delegates state that Italy must make the next move, and it must be an approach to the whole Conference. They say Britain and France will take no-fur-ther step alone. [TALI AN OBJECTION. TO DENIAL OF EQUALITY. ROME, September 15. Italy regards extended participation in the Mediterranean patrol as a matter of prestige. ? Mussolini’s “Popolo d?ltalia” says: The part the Nyon Agreement assigns to Italy is incompatible with her prestige and interests. “La Messagero” and other papers similarly comment, but none in dioates whether Italy will come in ii offered a larger share of the patrol. It is hinted that it is illogical to expect Italy to.protect neutral ships carrying supplies to Republican Spain. Signor Gayda, in an article, says: The next, move-rests with Britain and France, whose one-sided policy in tin Mediterranean does not conform with the spirit of collaboration and fiiend (ship. LONDON, Sept. 1(5. The Rome correspondent of tin “Daily 'Telegraph” says: Responsibh quarters here assert that Italy’s re fusal to join in the patiol scheme un less she is given equality with Britain and France, was dictated by logic and by geography/ Nevertheless; the dooi for collaboration has not been closed. Once the Italian objections aie ren.ov ed, it is argued, Italy will , hasten ti join in the scheme. 5 It is pointed out, sa'ys • the correspondent, that if the Italian demand b not satisfied, then the presence of Bri tish and French destroyers in the Modi teiranean will further eompTieate an al ready critical situation. GERMAN OFFICIAL ATTITUDE. LONDON. September 1C The Berlin correspondent of th “Daily Telegraph” says: German iHi cial circles declare that Italy’s retusa to co-operate in the Mediterranean pa trol scheme fully represents Germany’: viewpoint, and Italy’s reply was drawi up after consultation with,the Germai Government. It is emphasised, says the corres pondent, that it now lies with Britain and France to grant Italy the- equal it.v which she demands. FRENCH EXPECTATION. PARIS, 1 5. The French Press is . hopeful, Aha Italy will be brought in. but expiosseSatisfaction with, the British-Frcnch ac

tion, which will lend to the re-ostab ishnout of their power in the Mediterran can. CABALLERO’S COMMENT. PAH IS. September -In Senor Caballero, interviewed by “Lo Matin” regretted that wlide Britain and France were protecting their own shipping, nothing was done to proiec;. the Spanish coast. XYOX COXFEREXC'E. (Received this day at 10.0. a.m.l GEXEVA, September IG. The Xyon Conference is meeting at (lonova on September 17 to consider the question of co-operation of air- [ craft in the patrol scheme.