ITALY'S REAL MOTIVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18498, 7 September 1923, Page 7

ITALY'S REAL MOTIVE.

CORFU LONG COVETED.

MUSSOLINI'S THREAT.

INDEFINITE OCCUPATION.

By Telegraph— Association— Copyright. < ("Received 5.35 D-m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Sept., The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent rates: " There is a grave phrase in Signor Mussolini's latest declaration. He '■threatens that Italy will remain indefinitely at Corfu if Greece doesnot yield to her every demand, adding that Corfu was for centuries a dependency of Venice. When a politician quotes history he is thinking not of the past, but of the future. 'It is a long time since I read an utterance bo menacing to Europeen peace.' This was said to me by . a member of a Foreign Corps Diplomatique reputed for his cool sagacity and mordant wit. Signor Mussolini's ill-advised >: out"burst has bad. at least the advantage of disclosing certain aspirations hitherto only dimly - suspected in- British : and'. French naval circles, and ' among> the Little Entente." I . « A The Geneva correspondent writes: "A high Italian authority assured, me &gain to-day that Ita'y will leave the League, rather than allow the League to interfere.. In that event Greece. will lose Corfu for over. He added that the only drawback was that, relations with Britain might be strained- " Italy did . not fear the Balkan States." ' ' The Times corresnondenb *' at Geneva says that 'the French Government's atti-tude-is uncertain regarding the Corfu incident. The French delegates favour the League of Nations acting. ' The correspondent adds that Italy's solo ally consists of the ill-defiued, but - easily comprehensible uneasiness of, France. - To-morrow will show' which side France will, take, and what will become of the League and the several Peace Treaties.