Soviet – Italian Move Not Understood In Washington Quarters

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1944, Page 3

Soviet - Italian Move Not Understood In Washington Quarters

LONDON, March 14

The restoration of Russo-Italian diplomatic relations resulted from Italian initiative taken some time ago. says the Naples correspondent of “The Times.” . „ . . “The full implications of the Soviet decision to recognise the Badoglio Government are not understood in Washington,” says the Washington correspondent of the “New _ York Times.” “On the face of it, it is apparently another interesting move in Soviet foreign policy, of which there have been numerous instances since the Moscow and Teheran conferences, including the spreading of rumours of British and American peace manoeuvres, denunciation of the Vatican as pro-Fascist, Russia’s insistence in settling the Polish question without British or American aid, and modification of the Soviet constitution for the conduct of foreign affairs. “The latest decision apparently means that Moscow concurs with the British and American policy in having dealt with Badoglio. British and Amei'ican relations, however, have been less than full diplomatic recognition. ' The State Department has issued a statement that Badoglio had not asked the United States for diplomatic recognition of his regime.” Reuter’s Naples correspondent says it is understood that Italy’s request to resume diplomatic relations was addressed to Britain and America as well as Russia. Restoration of Russo-Italira diplomatic relations would clearly reinforce Badoglio’s position, says the diplomatic correspondent of “The Times,” but has much wider implications, and the Allies doubtless will confer on the whole problem. . “ 1.

Lost.—The submarine Corvina is overdue from patrol and must be presumed lost, says a U.S. navy communique. The Associated Press says that the Corvina is the 20th American submarine ®lost in the war. It presumably was operating in the Pacific, it had a complement of 65 officers and men.