THE MEDITERRANEAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22618, 5 January 1937, Page 9

THE MEDITERRANEAN

ANGLO-ITALIAN PACT MUTUAL RIGHTS RECOGNISED British Wireless RUGBY, Jan. 3 The text of the new Mediterranean Pact between Britain and Italy is as follows: "The British and Italian Governments, animated by a desire to contribute increasingly, in the interests of the general cause of peace and security, to the betterment of relations between them and between all the Mediterranean Powers, and resolved to respect the rights and interests of those Powers, recognise that freedom of entry into, exit from, and transit through the Mediterranean is of vital interest both to the different parts of the British Empire and to Italy, and that these interests are in no way inconsistent with each other.

"The two Governments disclaim any desire to modify or, so far as they are concerned, to see modified, the status quo as regards national sovereignty of territory in the Mediterranean. They iindertake to respect each other's rights and interests in the said area. They agree to use their best endeavours to discourage any activities liable to impair the good relations which it is their object in the present declaration to consolidate. "This declaration is designed to further the ends of peace, and is not directed against any other Power." According to reports received in London the announcement of the signature of the pact has been welcomed in all parts of Europe. FRANCE SATISFIED RESULT OF NEGOTIATIONS KEPT FULLY INFORMED PARIS. Jan. 3 The French Foreign Minister, M. Delbos, stated to-day that the Government was satisfied with the result of the negotiations between Britain and Italy, of which the Cabinet was kept fully informed by the British Government. SPANISH TERRITORIES ASSURANCE BY ITALY GUARANTEE OF INTEGRITY British Wireless RUGBY, Jan. 3 Notes exchanged in Home on December 31 between the British Ambassador, Sir Eric Drummond, and the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, on the integrity of the present territories of Spain are now made public. The British Ambassador, in his Note, begins by recalling question and answer in the House of Commons on December 16 on the guarantee given the British Government bv the Government of Italy concerning the Balearic Islands, and cites Mr. Eden's account of assurances then given. Count Ciano's Note, after recapitulating verbal assurances, reads: "I have consequently no difficulty on behalf of the Royal Italian Government of confirming the accuracy of the British Government's assumption, namely, that so far as Italy is concerned the integrity of the present territories of Spain shall in all circumstances remain intact and unmodified."