ROME TALKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 29 March 1938, Page 5

ROME TALKS

BRITAIN AND ITALY CHANGED ATTITUDE OF MUSSOLINI (United Pres* Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copy rightl (Received 29th March, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON. 28th March. The Australian Associated Press understands that Signor Mussolini is prepared to go further than at first seemed likely, and there la every likelihood of accord much more substantial than the mere clearing of suspicions, the formula prepared involving undertakings in Spain, Egypt, Palestine, Arabia, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.

Britain will be required to notify tho defences of Palestine and the Red Sea

islands, and recognise the Abyssinian conquest. Signor Mussolini will be required to withdraw troops from Spam and evacuate the Balearic*. Apparently Herr Hitler's Austrian coup and tho arrival of Germans at Brenner Past increased the Duce’s desire for a comprehensive Anglo-Italian agreement before Herr Hitler's visit to Rome.

Signor Mussolini believes that tho agreement will enable Italy wider influence throughout Europe, especially m Jugoslavia and Hungary. Evidently th# Italians suspect Herr Hitler primarily evolved the Rome-Berlin axis to ensure that Italy woujjj not interfere in Austria, and now fear that Herr Hitler will pay little heed to the axis. Th# Duce is anxious to withdraw troopa from Spain and transfer them to th# Brenner Pass. NEGOTIATIONS FOR AGREEMENT [United Pres* Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright! (Received 29th March, 9.0 a m.) LONDON. 28th March. The Rome correspondent of “Th# Times” says the conference between the Italian Foreign Minister. Count Ciano, and the British Ambassador. Lord Perth, followed the receipt of fresh instructions from London. The negotiations are fairly advanced, necessitating the careful drafting by experts of formulas which the principals can diacuss.

The Rome correspondent of th# “News Chronicle” says it is understood that the general terms of the agreement drawn up include the exchange of information regarding the strength and disposition of all forces in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. which has already begun. It is also agreed that neither will increase fortifications in the Mediterranean and Red Sea although both will retain the existing fortification*. Britain refused the Italian for naval parity in the Mediterranean-