REPLY TO BRITISH INQUIRIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 6 December 1938, Page 7

REPLY TO BRITISH INQUIRIES

ITALIAN GOVERNMENT DISCLAIMS ' RESPONSIBILITY [British Official Wirelessl (Received 6th December, 10.43 a.m.) RUGBY, sth December. Mr Chamberlain stated in a House of Commons answer that it was clear from the Italian Foreign Minister’s reply to inquiries by Lord Perth that the Italian Government did not associate itself with the demonstration in the Italian Chamber on Wednesday. He added that he saw no reason to alter the arrangements for the visit to Rome by Lord Halifax and himself. He explained that nothing in the AngloIlalian Agreement of last April affected in any way British obligations to France, and while Tunis, Corsica and Nice were not specifically mentioned in the negotiations prior to the agreement they were covered by Annex 1 which dealt with the maintenance of the status quo in the Mediterranean.

Mr Chamberlain stated that the instructions given to Lord Perth on Saturday were to represent to Count Ciano that incidents such as the scene in the Chamber, unless steps were taken to correct the impression created, must have a most detrimental effect on the prospects of collaboration between the four Munich Powers.

Meanwhile Lord Samuel, speaking at Liverpool, declares that England is rather tired of dictators pushing her from pillar to post throughout Europe. PRESS COMMENT The “Daily Mail’s” Paris correspondent declares that France is ready to accept any challenge in Tunisia and Corsica but anticipates that the matter may be allowed to drop in view of Italian disclaimers pending Mr Chamberlain’s and Lord Halifax’s visit to Rome. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Ajaccio correspondent says that the tricolour is flying throughout Corsico, where demonstrations continue against Italy. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Tunis correspondent says that the disturbances were more serious than disclosed, resulting in fifteen arrests, of which seven were Italians. Italian shops were extensively damaged An organised Moslem and Jewish procession was held at the seaport of Sousse. “The Times” Cairo correspondent emphasises Egyptian distrust of Italy, particularly regarding her aspirations in connection with the Suez Canal. BRITAIN SUPPORTS FRANCE /U P.A.—B.v Electric Telegraph--Copyrlghtl LONDON, 4th December. Sir Alexander Cadogan, Deputy Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, has assured M. Corbin, French Ambassador in London, of Britain’s support of French resistance to Italy’s claims. AGITATION CONDEMNED I British Official Wirelesal RUGBY, 3rd December. The protest by the French Ambassador is described as proper and well justified by “The Times,” which suggests that it is well to bear in mind that, the more one party seems bent upon appeasement, the bigger the opportunity may appear to the other to raise the cost of agreement. It emphasises that it is a matter of universal importance that diplomacy by agitation should not be allowed to take the place of diplomacy by consultation. The demonstration in the Italian Chamber is regarded as untimely by the "Daily Telegraph” in the sense that it follows France’s recognition of the Italian Empire and that it imme-1 diately precedes Mr Chamberlain’s visit to Rome. BRAWL BETWEEN FRENCH AND ITALIANS IUPA-Uv Elpciric I cleg i Huh Oonvnaht SHANGHAI, sth December. A brawl between French sailors and Italian marines in Cabaret Street, known as "Blood Alley,” resulted in one Italian marine and three French police being wounded. Seven Italian marines were arrested.