ITALIAN METHOD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 82, 5 March 1938, Page 6

ITALIAN METHOD

“CORKSCREW DIPLOMACY.” LARGE LOAN SUGGESTED. LONDON, March 23. “Corkecrew diplomacy” is how a National Lalxmr member of the House of Commons describes the Italian ynethod. This is Mr Harold Nicholson, officially a supporter of the Government. Mr Nicholson says that, first, the lip of the corkscrew is placed gently, charmingly .and sweetly on the top of the cork. Nothing happens. Then the bottle is placed in the right position. This is called “good relations” or “ending the vendetta.” Suddenly the corkscrew is given a twist, and the cork begins to squeak. The Italians, he says, have a perfect system of inventing something they do not want and clamouring for it. saying: “AVe will die if we do not get it.” When they get it, they ask for something more. They pretend that voti are menacing them, or that something you want is vitally important to them. They surrender it with a. tremendous gesture, and say: “What will you give in return ?” They never let roil know their maximum demand.". They let up suppose the scope of negotiations is very modest, hut at every point the corkscrew enters n little farther. It is asserted, he adds, that .a trade agreement is intended to lead to a largo loan to Italy. Italy has never made a vitally important political treaty which she did not break.