TRUE VALUE OF VISIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 17 January 1939, Page 5

TRUE VALUE OF VISIT

COMMENT BY “THE TIMES” MUSSOLINI’S DESIRE FOR PEACE [British Official Wireless) (Received 17th January, 10.15 a.m. ) RUGBY, 16th January. In an attempt to assess the true value of Mr Chamberlain’s Rome visit “The Times” says it would be a profound mistake just because the results are not spectacular to describe them in terms of victory or defeat. Whatever gains have been made will accrue to both and be shared by both peoples. “The Times” adds that perhaps the greatest gain has been Signor Mussolini’s repeated assurance and determination to work for European peace. It recognises that this does not imply that the Duce accepts the existing state of affairs between Italy and France in North-East Africa, but it may be assumed that the changes to be detemined are not territorial and will not be pressed by threats of war . “The Times” comments that it may safely be said also as far as British public opinion is concerned that they are likely to be supported in inverse ratio to the amount of warlike pressure behind. Referring to the civil war in Spain as a material stumbling block to progress, “The Times” says that a large scale participation of Italian troops continues the main obstacle, together with General Franco’s obstinacy to the effective application of the plan of the Non-Inter-vention Committee, and the time has not yet come when the British and Italian Governments can place some construction on its principal provisions. The article concludes: “Mr Chamberlain, by his successive visits to the Continent, made the desire for peace articulate where it was not articulate before. That in itself is no mean achievement.