Use of Mediterranean

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 3, 5 January 1937, Page 7

Use of Mediterranean

Anglo-Itafian Accord IN THE GENERAL CAUSE OP PEACE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Jan. 3. The following is the text of a declaration signed in Rome on Saturday by the Italian Foreign Minister and the British Ambassador:— “His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and the Italian Government, animated by a desire ,to contribute increasingly, in the interests of the general cause of peace and security, to a betterment of relations between them and between all the Mediterranean Powers, and being resolved to respect the rights and interests of those Powers, recognise that freedom of entry into, exit from, and transit through the Mediterranean is of vital interest both to tho different parts of the British Empire and to Italy, and that these interests are in no way inconsistent with each other. They disclaim any desire to modify, or so far us they are concerned to see modified, the status quo as regards the national sovereignty of territory in the Mediterranean. They undertake to respect each other’s rights and interests in the said area. They agree to use their best endeavours to discourage any activities liable to impair good relations, which it is the object of the present declaration to consolidate. This declaration is designed to further the ends of peace, and it is not directed against any other Power.” Welcomed in Europe. According to news reports reaching London, the announcement of the signature of the declaration has been welcomed in all parts of Europe. The French Foreign Minister, to whom the substance of the agreement was communicated yesterday through the British Embassy in Paris, later made a public statement in whicn he expressed the delight of the .rtench Government, and associated it with the effort for conciliation and peace embodied in the declaration. French Satisfaction EAKlfcj, Jr. 4. 3. The Foreign Minister, M. Dofbos, expressed the Government’s satisfaction at the result of the Anglo-ltalian negotiations, of which Cabinet was kept fully informed by the British Government.