DUCE DELAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 11

DUCE DELAYS

PROSECUTING AIMS

CLAIMS ON FRANCE

FACTORS IN SITUATION

NEW POPE AWAITED

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright

LONDON, Feb. 15

The death of the Pope has caused Italy to delay the prosecution of her "natural aspirations," also her demands against France, says the Rome correspondent of the British United Press. Political circles are of the opinion that Signor Mussolini feels obliged to "soft pedal" until after the Papal election.

Official circles in Pome are most reticent as to a possible speech by Signor Mussolini at Turin on Sunday. Heretofore it was believed that he would make an important declaration on homo and foreign affairs, but the death of the Pope and the occupation of Minorca are believed to have changed his plans.

TROOPS IN LIBYA

INCREASE ADMITTED

OFFSET FRENCH FORCES

BRITISH ENVOY'S INQUIRY

(Received February 16, 6.30 p.m.) British "Wireless LONDON. Feb. 15 The British Ambassador at Rome, the Earl of Perth, has within, the last few days had conversations with the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, on the strength of the Italian garrison in Libya. The Anglo-Italian Agreement contained a communication to the effect that the Italian Government intended to reduce its forces in Libya to peace time level. Count Ciano informed Lord Perth that actually the forces had been reduced to the level referred to, but recently they had been supplemented again. This was stated to be due to increases in the French forces in Tunisia. Count Ciano stated that it was the intention of the Italian Government to reduce its forces later if, and when, conditions again became normal.

The inquiry was made by Lord Perth under the terms of the Anglo-Italian Agreement relating to the exchange of military information. WOOING POLAND NEW ITALIAN MOVE WARSAW, Feb. 15 The Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, will arrive at Warsaw on February 25. It is believed that an attempt will be made to bring Poland closer to the Italian end of the RomeBerlin axis in return for Signor Mussolini's promise of support. GERMAN AGITATION COLONIAL CAMPAIGN BERLIN, Febi 15 Using the name of the battleship Bismarck, launched yesterday by Herr Hitler as a peg, the German newspapers have reopened the colonial campaign. They recall the colonial expansion under Bismarck and state that his legacy must be restored very soon.