Guarantees To Greece And Rumania

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 14 April 1939, Page 5

Guarantees To Greece And Rumania

ASSISTANCE IF INDEPENDENCE THREATENED

SIMILAR DECLARATION BY FRANCE {British Official Wirelessl (Received 14th April. 9.55 a.m.) RUGBY. 1 3th April. Mr Chamberlain, Prime Minister, in the House of Commons, announced unilateral guarantees in respect to Greece and Rumania similar to that originally given to Poland. He stated that Britain found it difficult in the extreme to reconcile what happened in Albania with the preservation of national sovereignty as contemplated by the Anglo-Italian Agreement; and after referring to the general uneasiness created by these events and the shock to confidence which resulted, he said that Britain felt it had both a duty and a service to perform by leaving no doubt in the mind of anybody as to its position. “I therefore take this opportunity of saying on its behalf that His Majesty’s Government attaches the greatest importance to the avoidance of the disturbance by force or threats of force of the status quo in the Mediterranean and the Balkan Peninsula. Consequently the Government has come to the conclusion that in the event of any action being taken which clearly threatens the independence of Greece or Rumania and which the Greek or Rumanian Governments respectively consider it vital to resist with their national forces, His Majesty’s Government will feel itself bound to lend at once to Greece or Rumania, as the case may be, any support in its power. We are communicating this declaration to the Governments directly concerned and to the Powers—especially Turkey—whose close relationships with the Greek Government are known. I understand that France is making a similar declaration this afternoon.’

After announcing the assurance to Greece and Rumania, the Prime Minister turned to consider the future of the Anglo-Italian Agreement. He frankly confessed his deep disappointment at Italy’s action, which had cast a shadow over the genuineness o/ its intentions to carry out its undertakings, but he disagreed with the opinion he suggested some might hold that the agreement should be ceded. He believed on the contrary that there would be a widespread desire all the greater for the uneasiness now prevailing to see the fulfilment of the remaining provisions of the agreement He added that naturally in view of recent events it was to Italy they looked for practical evidence that, she chared that desire MUSSOLINI’B ASSURANCES Mr Chamberlain mentioned the assurance from Signor Mussolini regarding Italian troops in Spain given to Lord Halifax. Foreign Secretary, by Signor Crolla. Italian Charge d’Affaires, in the course of exchanges in the last six days It was to the effect that Italy confirmed that all Italian volunteers would be withdrawn from Spain immediately after taking part in the victory parade at Madrid. Count Ciano. Italian Foreign Secretary, had informed Lord Perth, British Ambassador, that Italian areoplanes and pilots would leave also.

| and the status quo in the Meditcr

The British Government, the Prime Minister declared, had taken due note of these fresh assurances, and as it had always regarded the evacuation of Italian troops from Spain as a vital element in the agreement it looked forward to their early fulfilment RECURRING SERIES OF ALARMS Mr Chamberlain, in conclusion, spoke of how intolerable was the state of international affairs which kept the whole world in a continually recurring series of alarms, blighted commerce and industry, depressed social conditions and poisoned every .phase of human activity. Events of which Britain had had cause to complain in the past and which again it had to condemn to-day could not have failed to stir the minds and consciences of all people. He took hope from the fact that the patience Britain had exercised over a long period, with many disappointments of its efforts to remove suspicion, promote goodwill and ensure peace would yet be rewarded. He assured the House that without prejudice or preconceived idearlogical motives Britain was endeavouring to the utmost of its ability successfully to marshal the forcer, stiil favouring peace and willing to resist aggression A similar statement was made by Lord Halifax in the House of Lords. OCCUPATION OF ALBANIA The Prime Minister opened his House of Commons statement by recalling events, in which he began by I reminding what he told the House on! the eve of the adjournment for the Easter recess. He stressed the difficulty which had been experienced in getting information from Albania, and said that Lord Halifax was still awaiting com-j munications from th British Minister at Durazzo which had been delayed. He proceeded to give the House accounts from both Albanian and Italian sources which conflicted in many particulars both as to the course of events and the background against which they occurred. am’ suggested that it would meantime be wise to suspend judgment on the facts. But there was no doubt of the general effect produced by the Italian action. Public opinion throughout the world had once again been profoundly shocked by the fresh exhibition of the use of force.

Before proceeding to the declaration regarding the assurances to Greece and Rumania, the Prime Minister reported to the House on diplomatic exchanges of the Easter week-end. It was natural that Britain should view the Italian proceedings in Albania in relation to the Anglo-Italian agreement in which Ih* two Governments had disclaimed any desire to modify or see modified the status quo in the Mediterranean. This was the basis, the Prime Minister made clear, on which the earliest British representations were made both to Count Ciano in Rome and the Italian representative in London. On Good Friday Count Ciano had told Lord Perth in reply to his representations that Italy fully intended to respect the independence and integrity of Albania