THE MEDITERRANEAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 21 December 1938, Page 7

THE MEDITERRANEAN

NO CESSION OF TERRITORY TO ITALY SUGGESTION NEVER MADE MR CHAMBERLAIC REPLIES TO QUESTIONS I British Official Wireless'! RUGBY, 19th December. Before the no-confidence debate began in the House of Commons, a number of questions were asked concerning the Mediterranean and the forthcoming visit of the British Ministers to Rome. Mr Chamberlain took this opportunity to deny categorically rumours that Britain was contemplating the cession of colonial territory to Italy. He added that no such suggestion had been made by Italy.

He did not anticipate that it would be possible to begin before or during the Rome visit any negotiations on boundary questions affecting British Somaliland and Italian East Africa.

He had occasion to repeat his reply given last week that any action contrary to the provisions of the Rome agreement of April last would be a matter of grave concern to Britain, and recalled again his statement that Britain could not contemplate any such possibility. He said that Britain had not been consulted or informed by France of its notification to Italy that it would cede no French territory to Italy.

Regarding his and Lord Halifax’s conversations in Rome, however, the Prime Minister declared that Britain would naturally remain in close touch with France on that subject as on all other questions of common interest. He reiterated his refusal to say in advance what subjects were to be discussed in Rome.

ITALY SUPPORTED BY GERMAN PRESS

BERLIN, 20th December. German newspapers now openly support the undefined Italian claims regarding Jibuti, the Suez Canal and Tunis. They completely ignore the threats of the officially-inspired Italian Press against France, and warn the French Government against taking up a position which may exclude the possibility of a “cheap and peaceful” agreement. Italy, it is claimed, has every right to be dissatisfied with the consequences of French policy in Tunis.