DUCE DELIGHTED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 July 1936, Page 7

DUCE DELIGHTED

“GREAT STEP FORWARD.” COLLABORATION ASSURED. SHOCK FOR FRANCE. (United Press Association- —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received July 13, 9.20 a.m. LONDON, July 12. Dr Kurt Sehusehnigg has telegraphed to Signor Mussolini, informing him of tho Austro-German agreement. He says: “J am sure your Excellency will share tlie satisfaction over the accord as a new and efficacious contribution towards peace which renews the assurances of friendship and the firm desire .to continue in the future in full accord with your Excellency on the basis of tho Protocols of Rome and in collaboration with Italy.”

Signor Mussolini replied: “The accord must lie greeted with satisfaction by all who have tlie cause of peace at heart. It marks a great step forward on the road of the reconstruction of Europe and tlie Danubian States. 1 am especially glad to reciprocate with an assurance of the friendship and collaboration of Italy with the Austrian Government in conformity with the Rome Protocols, which will continue to bo the basis of Itulo-Austrian relations in the new establishment _ ol Austrian relations with tlie Reich, which event the Italian Government and people salue.” The Sunday Times welcomes the Austro-German agreement and slates that it is not disposed to look behind and around in order to find hidden sinister motives. “Wc ought to welcome any and every agreement turning enemies into friends.” DICTATORS’ FRONT.

‘l'lie Sunday-Ghroniclc describes events as moving swiftly and dramatically to the formation of a Dictators’ Front in Europe, with a new and formidable triple alliance—ltaly, Austria, and Germany. Paris reports that the agreement has taken France by surprise. L’lntransigeant says It is unnatural that a man like Hitler should suddenly concede so important a point of policy without obtaining a quid pro quo. Several papers suggest, that a secret agreement exists between Italy and Germany.

A Berlin message says the Tageblatt hopes that “the anxious souls who regal'd Austria as Europe’s powder barrel will now be able to sleep. Let us regard the agreement as the first sign that Europe has been conquered by a real desire for peace.” SUPPORT FOR GERMANY. A cable from Vienna says a law is being promulgated immediately forbidding propaganda in favour of the Anschluss. Iho Government do not intend to adopt the Nazi programme, for instance, with regard to anti-Semitism. The Press says .Germany, can now be sure of Italian support against any attempt to isolate her. President Miklas accepted the suggestion of Dr Schuschnigg and appointed a Council of State composed of “national-minded” men. including Herron Horstenau and Sclnnidt.