ITALIAN STATEMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 155, 2 June 1937, Page 9

ITALIAN STATEMENT.

MORE SHIPS FOR SPAIN

ROAIE, June 1. The bombing of the Deutschland caused intense indignation. The Prime Minister, Signor Mussolini, did not attend the baptism of the infant son of the Crown Prince, which was interpreted as being due to his having a long telephonic conversation with the German Chancellor (Herr Hitler). It is believed that if Italian vessels again are bombed, Signor Mussolini will also bombard a Spanish city. Meanwhile the Government has issued the following statement : —“The repeated attacks against Italian and German warships having been plainly proved to be a premeditated plan of aggression, Italy lias decided to withdraw from the international control scheme, and its members from the Non-Intervention Committee until means are adopted to prevent new criminal attacks.” It is stated that Italy is sending naval reinforcements to ' Spain. Semi-official comment emphasises that Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler will act jointly against the Spanish Government in the event of further provocation. They also have expressed their determination to stand firm in Spain until the end of the war. Therefore the British armistice proposals are dead and buried.