CAREFUL STUDY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 99, 27 March 1939, Page 7

CAREFUL STUDY

REACTION IN LONDON. CLAIMS UNDERSTOOD. (British Official Wireless.) Received March 27, 10.15 a.m. RUGBY, March 26. Signor Mussolini’s speech in Rome is being studied carefully in London, and meanwhile it is considered that comment should l>e withheld. On the preliminary reading of the speech the first impression gained by authoritative quarters is that its terms do not belie general ex]X‘ctatioii6 formed after the recent utterance by King Victor Emmanuel, and it does not appear to introduce any new unfavourable factor into the disturbed European situation. It was anticipated that the speech would be characterised by the Duce’s customary vigour and pugnacity, and it does not lack these qualities, but in its substance the view is taken that there is little in the speech that can be described as unduly aggressive. I»yalty to the Rome-Borlin Axis, which is expressed, has not prevented the Duce from laying special emphasis upon the particular needs of Italy, and these passages are receiving special attention. Signor Mussolini’s insistence on the necessity for Europe enjoying a Jong period of peace will be warmly endorsed in London, and in this connection careful study is being given to references in his speech to Italian aspirations because it is felt in I/ondon that there is still time for TtaJ.v and France to negotiate for a settlement of their differences. Nothing in the speech seems calculated to check such a development. Threatening language lias been avoided and the Italian claims do not go bevond what is familiar ground. Italv’s needs in the Mediterranean and Adriatic are also well understood. An Independent Cable message states that Signor Mussolini’s speech did not fulfil premonitions and create a new crisis. . . _ . The first impressions m Rondon, though the speech ns usual was violent for his own followers’ consumption, was that it left the door open for FrancoItalian negotiations, while the ging in of the Adriatic in the referenees to the Mediterranean _is interproted as a hint to Herr Hitler that the Duce will look askance at any adventure in Yugoslavia which is designed to give Germany an Adriatic port.