FRESH STARTING POINT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 100, 28 March 1939, Page 7

FRESH STARTING POINT.

IN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS. BRITISH VIEWS. LONDON, March 27. The Times, in a leader, expresses the opinion that Signor Mussolini s speech is at least a fresh starting point in European affairs. France has long been ready to negotiate about Djibouti, the Suez Canal and Tunisia, but it would have been easier U tiignor Mussolini had not so freely abused the democracies and praised the mailed fist. “if the totalitarian leaders really believe it is good to dispense with civilian life and that perpetual peace would be a catastrophe, the democracies must part company with them, ’ the article continues. “It is strange to read that if democracies unite to defend themselves, the authoritarians will pass from defence to counterattack. Sudden, brutal and ruthless attack came from authoritarian regimes in Abyssinia, Manchukuo, China and Central Europe.” The Daily Telegraph says the speech was inconclusive, but altogether left the impression that Signor Mussolini now prefers a negotiated settlement to an open breach which ho formerly appeared to be courting. The News-Chronicle says that if France decided to negotiate, she would be well advised to see that any concessions would not weaken her security. , _ . , , A later message from London states that a full report of Signor Musso.lini’s Rome speech is now before the appropriate departments of the foreign Office, but authoritative comment is reserved.