BRITO-ITALIAN RELATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 5 October 1936, Page 4

BRITO-ITALIAN RELATIONS

FROM Rome there has come word that the Italian Dictator “favours an Anglo-Italian Mediterranean understanding,” while simultaneously a leading Italian journal, which is known to express Signor Mussolini’s political views, urges “real Angloitalian co-operation,” and adds, “Any idea of contesting Britain’s freedom in the Mediterranean never entered our minds.” It is well known that the policy of the British and French Governments in relation to the Mediterranean is the maintenance of the status quo in that sea, and it was only because of certain Italian statements, which seemed to indicate a possible desire to upset the existing order of things in the Middle Sea, that recently the British Government concentrated there the main strength of the British Navy. It seems that the unpleasantness caused by Italy’s Abyssinian policy, has “blown over,” and that she has no intention of threatening Egypt by way of Tripoli. Indeed, the attitude of Signor Mussolini towards Great Britain is re-assuring, and there is not much doubt that Signor Gayda, whose journal is known to reflect the Italian Government’s opinions, has been instructed to adopt a friendly attitude towards Great Britain and her legitimate interests and policies in the Mediterranean. That of course is as it should be. The interests of the two nations in that sea need not clash. They are well defined and immensely important, but they are in no way antagonistic. The British Government has long contemplated that fact, and it is now obvious that it is realised by the Italian Government. The result should be their co-operation in upholding peace in the Middle Sea and the maritime rights of all nations using its waters for legitimate purposes of' trade.