EXPLANATION TO COUNT CIANO

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 17 April 1939, Page 7

EXPLANATION TO COUNT CIANO

GREATER ASSURANCE OF EUROPEAN PEACE NECESSITY FOR MAINTAINING ANGLO-ITALIAN PACT ROME, 15th April, Field-Marshal Goering, who is on a visit to Rome and Signor Mussolini, received a great ovation in the Chamber of Fascist Corporations to-day, to which Count Ciano, Foreign Minister, announced the union of Italy and Albania. Fie declared that Albanians would now have prosperity and liberty.

In the course of a lon/? historical survey, he claimed that Italy’s interest in Albania dated back to the third century before Christ. “When I was in Yugoslavia in January,” he added, “I warned that Government that there might be modifications of Italy’s relations with King Zog. who attempted to spoil Italy’s good relations with Yugoslavia and arbitrarily used Italian financial aid.

“Italy, nevertheles. continued to help the Albanians, building bridges and roads. Every industrial undertaking in Albania is Italian. The country has now spontaneously thrown off a sordid mediaeval tyranny The welcome given to the Italian troops proved that the Duce's policy was right. All Albanian cities are intact and unbombed, and all homes are standing. DEMOCRACIES ATTACKED “I deplore the headlines in the foreign newspapers.” said Count Ciano. He then attacked the democracies and said that any attempt to upset the union of Italy and Albania would be met by action The destinies of Italy and Albania were forever linked. Cheering followed references to Japan’s friendship.

Count Ciano. in conclusion, said that Mr Chamberlain's speech was based on unchecked reports and ignored history, but Italy was fully agreed with the Prime Minister regarding the necessity for maintaining the Anglo-Ttalian agreement, to which Italy attributed great value and was animated by an equal desire to maintain and observe all clauses as hitherto. Italy’s relations with Greece were excellent. Incendiary attempts to provoke a major crisis had failed The occupation of Albania signified greater assurances of European peace. The Chamber of Fascist Corporations passed by acclamation a Bill making King Victor Emanuel King of Albania THRONE ACCEPTED BY KING OF ITALY (Received 17th April. 11.25 a.m.) ROME. 16th April. King Victor Emmanuel accepted the throne of Albania at a brilliant ceremony in the throne room where he received the Albanian delegation headed by the new premier. Shefkat Verlack.