ACTION OF ILL-OMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18494, 3 September 1923, Page 7

ACTION OF ILL-OMEN.

PARALLEL OF SEKAJEVO. _____ BRITISH OPINION ALARMED. THE NEUTRALITY OF CORFU. BRITAIN A GUARANTOR' By Telegraph Press Association—Copyright. • (Received 4.5 p.m.) A, and N.Z. LONDON. Sept. 1. " Tho Italian action at Corfu certainly constitutes a grave breach of international law, to which Britain cannot remain indifferent," states the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. " Under Article two of the treaty of March 29, 1864, it was declared that the islands of Corfu and Paxo enjoy perpetual neutrality. I hinted yesterday that Italy was credited with harnouring secret designs on Corfu, but I refused to believe such a sinister motive behind the Italian indignation over the assassinations on the GraecoAlbanian frontier. Tho occupation, however, is now an accomplished fact. The inevitable result will bo to placo the most serious strain upon international relations and c?en Anglo-Italian relations. " Britain could not afford to remain indifferent to foreign occupation of Corfu: Firstly, because she is ono of the guarantors of its neutrality; and secondly, because Corfu is a strategic position which could be easily misused by any but a small Power. By its seizure, Signor Mussolini is in effect challenging an international settlement of signal importance to British sea power, as also to the military security o! Greece, Albania, and Serbia, for Serbia cannot fail to grasp that the ultimate objective of such occupation would be contrary to her vital interests. Mussolini's Path of Peril.

" Signor Mussolini is creating for his country a future as perilous as that created for the Austro-Hunparian Monarchy by its ultimatum to Serbia. Nor is this all. Italy, by the occupation of Corfu, has already defied the League of Nations. There is no need to point out that a conflagration once started would spread to the whole of Danubian Europe., where Allies and ex-enemies, for instance Bulgaria and Hungary raitrht quickly become involved and embroiled.

The Parliamentary correspondent of the Daily Express says the Graeoo-Italian • risis has assumed an ominous outlook, owing to the Italians sieizing Corfu. The situation is regarded with anxiety, but the British Government is not without hope that Signor Mussolini will eventually allow the dispute to be settled by arbitration. Britain will certainly support Greece's application to the League of Nations, and already has sent instructions to that effect to the British dele gates at Geneva. Government quarters regret Signor Mussolini's action.

Commenting editorially, the Dail> Telegraph expresses the opinion that Greece's reply was adequate,' and proceeds : "We have been loth to think that there was any amere pensee behind the Italian Note, but the occupation of Corfu even though it prove momentary, is ominous when one rememtcrs that 10 years ago the Corfu Channel iSgurcd prominently "in the rival claims of Italy and Greece at the time of the Treaty of London. By its present action the I'talian Government is enlarging the bounds of the quarrel in a most dangerous way." Test Case, for . the League. The Morning Post states: " Apart from the Treaty of 1864, it is obvious that th<occupation of Corfu, with its high strategic importance in the' Mediterranean, is an affair that must seriously . perturb every Power with a Mediterranean fleet. It is impossible to dismiss the sense of disquietude and desire for explanations and assurances in fo.es of such a' startling development." The Westminster Gazette states :— "If Sjgnor Mussolini has evidence that tb«» Greek Government was responsible for the murders, he should produce it at the proper place, which is before the League of Nations.

The Daily Herald comments that it is plainly a test case for the Leaguo of Nations.

The Daily Express says: " Italy seems I determined to force Greece into complete fulfilment of Signor Mussolini's arbitary and harsh terms. The first action of aggression has already been taken in the seizure of Corfu, and ' war flames are "being fanned. If the dispute were confined to Greece and Italy there might be hope for an adjustment but unfortunately there- is an exact parallel in Serajevo. ; The result may inflame the Balkans in a dreadful war, the end of which no' one can sea. Everyone's hopes and prayers must be that even at the last minute of the eleventh hour war may bo averted."

The Paris Journal des Debate says: " Greece has offered Italy a considerable measure of satisfaction and the affair ought to be rapidly settled. We hope that Signor Mussolini will not follow the dual Monarchy's example in its treatment of Serbia."

The map illustrates the strategic situation involved by the crisis that has developed in - the relations between Greet© and Italy. The massacre of General lellini and Italian delegates on the commission appointed to delimit the boundary between Albania, and Greece occurred near Jaiuna.: Following on the presentation of demands to Greece, Italian forces have shelled and occupied the town of Corfu, and have forbidden. Greek shipping; to pass thronfih. certain, channels, Inset 15 .;..< fk plan of Taranto, tax* chief has* «£ the Italian nayz. _