ITALY'S THREAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 13

ITALY'S THREAT

FRANCE WARNED SANCTIONS EXTENSION SEKIOUS CONSEQUENCES ROME-BERLIN RELATIONS By Telegraph—Pre#* Association —Copyright (Received February 28, 6.15 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON. Feb. 28 The Rome correspondent of the Times states that Signor Mussolini received the French Ambassador, the Comte de Chambrun, who sought enlightenment on current reports of an Italo-German agreement. II Duce replied that, while no agreement bad been reached yet, the recent conversations had so clarified the positions and interests of the two countries that improved relations could be said to exist. Naturally it followed, said Signor Mussolini, that if the respective situations facing Italy and Germany became even more threatening than they were at present, it might not be difficult for them to reach an agreement. It is stated that Signor Mussolini also pointed out that next week's decisions at Geneva might be very important for Italy. He said France should reflect well before pledging herself to support fresh measures against Italy. The Comte de Chambrun is understood to have assured Signor Mussolini that although France naturally must support the League and the Covenant she would exert all- her influence on behalf of conciliation and against any extension of sanctions. Signor Mussolini is understood to have indicated plainly that any extension of sanctions might be interpreted by Italy as a threat to the continuance of Locarno and the existing FrancoItalian agreements. It is even reported that he hinted that one result of severer sanctions against Italy would be the eventual creation of a new balance of power in Europe. The Berlin correspondent of the Times says well-informed persons there assert that the Italo-German conversations have not gone beyond the stage of an exchange of views on the effect of the Franco-Soviet pact on Locarno. They may yet be important, but for the moment they are described as less important than the Italians represent. Actually the initiative comes from the Italians." who, no doubt, would be glad to see something to relieve the sanctions pressure. Germany probably would not object to using Italy to help defeat the Soviet pact, or to compel a revision of Locarno if the pact is ratified, but only if it can be done without compromising her own foreign policy. This, it is declared, continues to be based on the possibilities of cooperation with the Western Powers. Moreover, there is no liking in Germany for Italians, no confidence in their loyalty and no very high opinion of their value as military allies. For these and other reasons it is considered doubtful whether the conversations actually will go very far.