LIBYA FORCES STRENGTHENED.

Northern Advocate, 18 October 1935, Page 5

LIBYA FORCES STRENGTHENED.

TROUBLE EXPECTED IN NORTH AFRICA?

ITALIAN TROOPS ON EGYPT FRONTIER: BRITISH COUNTER

ANGLO-FRENCH RELATIONS REACH

CRISIS

r United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

(Received noon.)

reports of movements of troops and aeroplanes suggest that Italy is preparing for trouble in North Africa. Even the northern Italian frontier, including the vital Brenner Pass, has been denuded of troops. A number of regiments have been despatched to Libya, and others moved to protect the South Italian coast. Only five of 12 divisions are left in South Tyrol. It is reported from Alexandria that Italians are massing strong forces with guns, tanks and aeroplanes on Egypt’s western frontier. Britain is countering with movements of ' air squadrons to Mersa Matruh. Egyptian infantry is being despatched daily in the direction of the frontier. M. Laval has promised Sir George Clerk, British Ambassador at Paris, a definite answer in a few days as to whether France would assist the British Fleet if attacked. It is .understood that Britain will require a definite change of the situation, especially in respect to the concentration of Italian troops in Libya before she will relax her precautions in the Mediterranean. The “Sun-Herald” news service says that Rome indirectly acknowledges that the presence of troops in Libya, also on the Egyptian border, is a potential answer to possible military action, namely, a threat to Egypt, in answer to a threat to the Suez Canal. Britain Worried. The “Sun-Herald” adds that for the first ' time since M. Laval’s retreat,

ROME, October 17.

British quarters tonight admit that they are worried that the future of the League, and the future of European redepend upon his reply to Britain’s demand for an unqualified '‘yes” or “no” to the question whether, in the event of Italy attacking- Britain in the Mediterranean, French support would be forthcoming. This service says that, having failed to induce Britain to budge an inch from League policy, it is feared in some quarters that M. Laval is determined to continue to co-operate with Italy, even at the cost of a marked detachment from Britain, which will be the inevitable outcome of breaking the present League front. “The Times” and other papers consider that the » Franco-British crisis has been reached. , The British Ambassador to Paris, Sir George Clerk* had a further interview with M. Laval last night, and communicated the views of the British Government as to whether- the British Government woud be prepared to withdraw from the Mediterranean such naval forces as were in excess of .the normal footing. M. Laval’s Suggestion. The French Prime Minister suggested that on the part of Italy such a gesture by Britain should be met by the withdrawal of additional Italian forces sent to Libya. The terms of the British reply to this inquiry have not been published, although newspapers state that the proposal, in the form in which it was made, has, in these circumstances, been rejected by the British Government. Sir George Clerk reminded M. Laval that at the time of the strengthening of the Mediterranean Fleet the French Government was officially informed of what was being done, and understood why the step was necessary. It certainly was not the intention of the British Government to reduce the strength of the British forces in the Mediterranean until the danger, which necessitated the precautionary measures had been removed. M. Laval has promised to reply in a day or two. The main consideration which prompted Britain to reinforce the Mediterranean Fleet remains unchanged. Reinforcements were sent to the Mediterranean as a precautionary measure, in view of the threatening anti-British tone of the Italian Press, and this situation continues. BRITISH NOTE An earlier message says that the Paris correspondent of “The Times” says it is understood that a British note to France refusing to reduce British naval strength in the Mediterranean, emphasises that the existing precautions will be maintaintained until relations between Britain and Italy return to the basis of friendship- . , The Note is also believed to contain a reminder that Signor Mussolini is at war in defiance of a number of solemn pledges, and that the value of any further pledge is largely vitiated in advance. Fui’ther, the Note repeats the demand for an unconditional assurance that France will fulfil up to the hilt the obligation assumed by all the members of the League under Article 16 in resisting any special measures

aimed at one of their number by th« Covenant-breaking state. “Too Evasive.” According to the “News Chronicle, the previous French assurance is considered to be too evasive. The. newspaper says M. Laval’s view is understood to be that British national reinforcements were sent to the Mediterranean before the League had reached any decision. Therefore, the fleet is not there under a League mandate and is not in a position to enforce sanctions. ~ Apparently this means that, in the event of an Italian attack, no help from France can be expected. The British Ambassador to France, Sir George Clerk, in presenting the British Note, says the “News Chronicle,” laid stress in the - strongest terms on the British view that full and complete French co-operation with the League is necessary. In other words, that M. Laval must finally decide whether the League is of greater importjance to France than the friendship of Italy. y