New Situation Considered By London

Northern Advocate, 28 January 1939, Page 9

New Situation Considered By London

(Received 2 p.m.) RUGBY, January 27. The speeches by Signor Mussolini on the fall of Barcelona, and by M. Daladier and M. Bonnet, on the international situation, are being carefully studied in London. The “Daily Telegraph” finds not a little ominous the praise in II Duce’s speech that the fall of Barcelona “opens another chapter in the history of the new Europe we are. creating.” A new situation, it agreed, is created, and while it is not surprised at the suggestion for an international conference, it calls attention to M. Bonnet’s warning that one must beware of being disappointed. * The paper adds that the prospects, at the moment, of the necessary collaborations, are not bright. Entente Corner-stone. M, Bonnet’s reaffirmation that the French-British friendship was never so close as today will, says the “Daily Telegraph,” be echoed unanimously on both sides of the Channel, for that entente is founded, not only on political sympathies, but on the identity of vital interests.

It is the corner-stone no less of British than of French policy. Events in the past year put the entente to the severest tests, and not only revealed, but tempered, its fundamental strength. The desire for peace in Britain and France is unquestionable. Doubters as to Britain’s power to defend it are advised by the “Daily Telegraph” to ponder over Sir Samuel Hoare’s speech. There is no confirmation in London that Signor Mussolini intends to ask for a Four-Power conference, to which oblique reference was apparently made by M. Bonnet. No such intention was revealed in the Anglo-Italian talks at Rome. “Down With England.” A message from Gibraltar says that police, carrying batons, charged British demonstrators outside the offices of the Burgos Agency, who were shouting. “Down With Franco and Mussolini.” The agency was holding a reception !o celebrate the fall of Barcelona. Voices inside replied: “Down With England.”