FEBRUARY CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23218, 12 December 1938, Page 11

FEBRUARY CRISIS

FEAKS IN LONDON ITALY'S COLONIAL CLAIMS GERMAN COLLABORATION FRANCE ALIVE TO SITUATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Dec. 1) A "Dominion official, on calling at the Dominions Office, was informed that the Italian claims to Tunisia and Corsica were part of a carefully organised plan arranged with the full collaboration of Germany, and that a crisis could be expected in February, says the Australian Associated Press. The official was told that the position was serious, but not desperate. The Italian tactics are almost identical with those used by Germany over the Sudetens. The German press will join in the Italian campaign, which will reach its peak at the time of Mr. Chamberlain's visit to Home. The danger of war is not considered to bo great, unless demonstrations lead to a serious incident. France is fully alive to such a possibility and has given Britain an assurance that she is exercising the greatest caution. The reference to February coincides with the fears of Mr. 0. Pirow, South African Minister of Defence.

. Semi-official reports from Berlin show that German sympathisers with Britain earnestly hope that Britain will then be ready to resist fresh demands from the totalitarian States.

The opinion is also expressed that the advance of the dictators can -be checked if a strong stand is made, DEMANDS BY ITALY COMPLETE SYMPATHY GERMAN NEWSPAPERS ■ ANIMUS AGAINST FRENCH LONDON, Dec. 0 The belief that the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, is disappointed over his visit to Paris, whence ho returned practically emptyhanded, as the signing of the "no war" pact was not the chief aim, is indicated to-day in the German-newspapers, says a despatch from Berlin. These are completely sympathising with the Italian claims to Tunisia and Corsica and expressing indignation at "French excesses against well-known Italian feelings." The press simultaneously condemns the "hypocrisy" of Mr. Mac Donald's announcement regarding colonies. The attitude of the German press, says a message from liome, has enabled Signor Gayda, in 11 Giornalo d'ltalia, to scoff at the "silly prophesies of German coolness to Italy," adding that "like those German rights which must yet bo realised, Italian rights are well-founded and essential to Italian life and will be inflexibly guarded by Italy, assisted by Italo-German solidarity." Burlesque demonstrations by students against Italy were held all over France to-day, says a message from Paris. Italian Consulates were strongly guarded. The newspapers are apprehensive that Italy and Germany are planning fresh aggression.

Police and carabiniere in Rome dispersed 500, largely schoolboys, carrying schoolbooks and satchels, demonstrating against France. Many arrests were made. PRESS SOFT-PEDALLED ANTI-FRENCH CAMPAIGN SCHOOLBOYS' DEMONSTRATION (Received December 11, 5.5 p.m.) ROME, Dec. 10 After occupying the front page of the newspapers for several days, press comments on the alleged French provocation in Tunis have been soft-pedalled, apparently owing to the fact that the French Prime Minister, M. Daladier, is more firmly in the saddle. It is also suggested that Germany is not at present ready to go further than a press campaign. In Naples 2500 schoolboys of an average age of 11 demonstrated against France. They marched to the French Consulate, from which they were turned back by Bersaglieri and firemen, who were ordered to treat the lads tenderly. The boys threw stones at the Bersaglieri, one of whom, growing angry, pricked the lad with his bayonet in a leg. The firemen turned on hoses, but the boys cut them and continued throwing stones until eventually they wero dispersed.