PLANS OF ITALIANS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 805, 7 September 1923, Page 5

PLANS OF ITALIANS.

ANOTHER ULTIMATUM

ISSUED TO JUGO-SLAVIA

SCHEME TO ANNEX STATE OF FIUMtt

SABRE-RATTLING IN FACE OF BALKAN POWERS.

Received September 10, 10,6 a,m. PARIS, Sept. 6.

A sensation has been caused by the publication of a message from the Politika, the semi-official organ of the Government in Belgrade, detailing recent negotiations between Jugo-Slavia and Italy. This, viewed in the light of Mussolini's sabre-rattling in the face of the Balkan Powers is regarded as extremely grave news*

The Politika describes the Italian plan as'.meaning that Italy is annexing the State of Fiume and Port Baros. Jugo-Slavia has been given until September 15 to accept the Italian plan, which is couched in the form of an ultimatum. This the Jugo-Slav ian Government oannot do,—' A. and N.Z. cable*

A NEW WAR CLOUD;

TROUBLE AT SCUTARh

FOMENTED BY MONTENEGRINS

MAY INVOLVE MANY COUNTRIES

ALLIES URGED TO MAINTAIN

DISPUTE OVER BOUNDARY

HARMONY.

Received September 7, 10.10 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 6.

By Electric Telercaph.-Copynght. Received September 7, 10.10 a.m. PARIS, Sept. 6.

The Daily Chronicle's Rome correspondent says that the Montenegrins are fomenting trouble in the Scutari district because the new boundary crosses land occupied by the Montenegrins.—A. and N.Z. cable. RUMOURED FIRING ON STEAMER AN ITALIAN DENIAL. Received September 7, 11.25 a.m. ROME, Sept. 6. It is officially denied that an Italian submarine fired oil a Greek steamer, mention of which was made on September I—A. and N.Z. cable. FRENCH UNEASINESS. LONDON, Sept. 6. The Times's Geneva correspondent says that .the French Government's attitude is uncertain regarding the Corfu incident. The French delegates favour the League of Nations acting, Italy's sole ally consists of an illdefined, but easily comprehensible French uneasiness. To-morrow will, show to which side France will swing and what becomes of the League and the several peace treaties.—Times, LORD CECIL'S POSITION. LONDON, Sept. 5. The Exchange Telegraph's Geneva ■correspondent says that Lord Robert Cecil's position is becoming stronger hourly. He would rally, air immense majority if the matter were raised there. The French delegation is divided on the advisability of continuing to sustain the Italian viewpoint, and the heaviest pressure is operating to induce M. Poincaro to modify his instructions to the Fronch delegates. Brazil and Uruguay, however, have instructed thoir delegates to support the Italian thesis wholeheartedly.—A. a'nd N.Z. cable. DEMAND FORTCOUNCIL'S ACTION GENEVA, Sept. 6. It is understood that the Little Entente aud Roumania are strongly upholding Belgium's stand in demanding that the Council should take action in view of Italy's threat to leave the League. If the Council does not meet on Thursday the Assembly will bo postponed in order to prevent ta debate arising on the problem until the Council has reached a decision.—A. and N.Z. cable. ITALY'S CONSCIENCE CLEAR. ROME, Sept. 5. Signor Mussolini, in a statement to Cabinet, said: "As I expected, my declarations yesterday caused a certain commotion in Britain and Geneva. Their purpose was to provoke serious reflection among certain foreign elements who have consented to the Greek attempt to stack the cards and to get us to await the decision of the Council of the League. We aro sure of our rights and have a firm and tranquil conscience." —A. and N.Z. cable.

Discussing the Politika's message, the Paris newspapers describe it as a new war cloud, which may involve the whole of Southern and Central Europe. The Politika states that Servia is on her guard. Belgrade is awaiting the arrival of the Greek Minister from Athens, but the Servian Government is determined that nothing must be done to upset the equilibrium of the Balkans. The Servian Cabinet, however, has' decided not to put forward its viewpoint whilst the present conflict is before an international tribunal, and in pursuance of this policy has not replied to the appeal for help she received from Greece. The Temps is so impressed with the danger that it urges the Allies not to waste time in discussing the procedure in the dispute between Greece and Italy. "If the new crisis becomes acute peace will only be maintained by perfect harmony among the allies, and the sentiment of solidarity among the nations which stood side by side during the world war. If Britain forsees this eventuality she will avoid complicating the present fjuarrel."' ' The Journal des Debats says that it does not accuse Mussolini of nurturing dark designs, but it is evident that he lias been carried away by exaltation, a mood which has been plainly demonstrated in his recent interviews with the press. "Mussolini's' references to the Balkan States are couched in terms which have amounted to ' a threat." The paper warns Italy of pursuing a policy of prestige, which will involve Southern Europe in a disaster such as Austria precipitated in 11914.—A. and N.'Z. cable.

ATHENS DEFENCELESS.

ACTION TAKEN BY GREEKS.

DESIRE TO AVOID CONFLICT.

Received September 7, 12.5 p.m. ROME, Sept. 6. It is semi-officially announced that the Greek Government has informed the Italian, French and British representatives that the Greek ileot "has been sent from Salamis to Yolo in order to avoid contact with Italian warships that might approach :the neighbourhood of Athens, and to establish the fact tihat Athens is a defenceless city.— Reuter. "WHAT MATTERS IS PEACE." DIPLOMATIC VICTORY NOT DESIRED. LONDON, Sept. 6.' The Daily Telegraph says: '/What matters is peace, not diplomatic victory by one side or the other. The League Council may well reeoninfend the Ambassadors' Conference to deal with the Janina murders and the penalties to be paid for them, leaving the .League to deliberate upon the occupation of Corfu. France favours this course, and we understand that for the sake of unity Britain is ready to accept it. It is not the ,murders which are threatening- the peace of Europe, but the occupation of Corfu. The League Council and the Assembly are both in session, .and not to consider the occupation of such an important strategic island which is deepndent upon an international guarantee, is quite inconceivable. It is absolutely unjust to suggest that other countries, and above all Britain, are guilty of showing hostility to Italy because of their desire to uphold the League covenants."

SERBIA WILL SUPPORT GREECE.

LONDON, Sept. C. • The Daily Express's special correspondent at Athens says that if the Italians remain in undisturbed possession of Corfu, there will undoubtedly be serious trouble, ending in the possibility of another Balkan war. The Serbian newspapers are already declaring that Serbia will support Greece.— A. and N.Z. cable. AMERICAN'S ALLEGATIONS. CORFU LANDING REHEARSED. LONDON, Sept. 6. The Daily Express's special correspondent at Athens telegraphs that Colonel Low, an. American who lias just returned from Corfu, declares that the Italians rehearsed the occupation of Corfu a month ago before the Janina murders. An Italian cruiser at that time arrived. Her commander sought and obtained the prefect's permission to land men for exercise. They stayed for five days under canvas, the officers studying the roads and landing places. The Greek Government awaits the next move in the dispute with restraint. Even the suggestion that the .was a long-prepared coup :has failed to arouse any considerable ; auger. There have been no anti-Ital-ian demonstrations. The people anxiously await Britain's next step.—-A. and N.Z. cable. W T HAT ICEMAL MAY DO. LONDON, Sept. 6. Reports from Turkey show that a ;section of opinion is already urging ;Kemal to seize the opportunity to invade Western Thrace.—A. and N.Z. ■ cable. MUSSOLINI'S OUTBURST. ASPIRATIONS~DISCLOSED. LONDON, Sept. 5. The Daily Express's Geneva correspondent says:—"A high Italian authority assured wo again today that

The Westminster Gazette says:— "Britain is taking a wise and honourable course in upholding the League of Nations' right to intervene in the iGaeco-ltalian.crisis, to .seek a just settlement, and to avoid a breach of the ipeaee. No kind of friendliness or support for the alleged criminal is involved in suggesting that ho should !be fairly tried before he is punished and that the prosecutor shall not immediately: arrogate to himself the functions of judge, jury and executioner. The smaller powers unanimously re.gard this as a test caite, and are hoping the Xeague will survive it triumphantly. This is not because they are, dominated by Britain, but because' their supreme interest is that the pact ensuring the peace of Europe should he strengthened and not proved .worthless."

The Morning Post, in an editorial, says: "Possibly a formula may be found whereby the League of Nations may hand oyer to the Ambassadors' Conference its mandate for finding an equitable solution of the. present grave issue, but Britain, in her efforts to limit the dispute, has been badly served by sections of the British press,' to .which -Signor Mussolini has referred. The chauvinism of Mr Lloyd George and the Labour press of Britain is a danger to the peace' of Europe. It is noisier than the sabre-rattling of the Hohenzollern in its palmiest days. The danger of the present crisis does not lie in scattering the League of Nations, but in the possible cooling and ending of Anglo-Italian friendship, which is not only a precious legacy, but a present necessity alike for Italy and England."—A. and N.Z, cable*

Italy will leave the Leagi io rather than allow it to interfere. I % the event, Greece will lose Curfu fc !.' ever. He said the only drawback lis that relations with Britain might • ho strained, but Italy did not fear the Balkan States." i The Daily Telegraph': p diplomatic correspondent says: "TheifO is a phrase in Signor Mussolini's latest declaration tliat he threatens to p.-emain inc-e----finitely at Corfu if Greec a does not yield io his every demand,l, adding that Corfu was for centuries ajj dependency of Venice. When a politician quotes history, he is thinking not jj of the past, but or. the future. It is .long since I have read an utterance sj o menacing to European peace. TJiis ; was said to me by a member of the I'(>reigu Corps Diplomatique reputed for h is cool sagacity. Signor. Mussolini I ,'si ill-advised outburst has had at least ij the advantage of disclosing certjain j aspirations hitherto dimly suspected in\ British and French naval circles and . i unong the Little Entente."—-A. and. N.Z. cable. LEAGUE COUNCIL CAREFUL. TIME TO EXAMINE CONFLICT. Becoived September 7, 11.25 a.m. GENEVA., Sept. G. A .meeting of the Burc u m of tho Assembly last evening, in , conjunction with the Council, decidec lj in accordance with Lord Robert /feed's suggestion to adjourn sine dip l the plenary session of the Assembly, (i which was to have been held this morning, in order to avoid questions regarding the Graeco-ltalian conflict a (| id to give the council time to examirif 3 the conflict and communicate with 'i ;heir Governments. —A. and N.Z. <i able.