ANGLO-ITALIAN ACCORD

Northern Advocate, 5 January 1937, Page 7

ANGLO-ITALIAN ACCORD

TEXT OF AGREEMENT.

Following is the text of the Mediterranean accord sighed by Britain and Italy:—

“His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, and Italian Government, animated by a desire to contribute increasingly, in the interests of the general cause of peace and security, to the betterment of relations between them and between all Mediterranean Powers, and 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 the 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 aS they are concerned to see modified, the status quo as regards 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 their object in the present declaration to consolidate.

“This declaration is designed to further the ends of peace, and, it is not directed against any other Power.”

Notes exchanged in Rome on December 31 between Sir Eric Drummond and Count Ciano on the integrity of the present territories of Spain are now made public. The British Ambassador in his Note, begins by recalling question and answer time in the House of Commons on December 16 on the guarantee given the British Government by the Government of Italy concerning the Balearic Islands, and cites Mr Eden’s account of assurances then given

Count Ciano’s Note, after recapitulating verbal assurances, reads: “I have consequently no difficulty on behalf of the Royal Italian Government of confirming the accuracy of His Majesty’s Government’s assumption, namely, that as far as Italy is concerned, integrity of the present territories of Spain shall in all circumstances remain intact and unmodified.”