ROME POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 8

ROME POLICY

COURSE OF WAR CHECKING SPREAD MILITARY INITIATIVE / Ts T 0 ACTION INTENDED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright | (Received October 5, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. -1 The official hows agency in TLsme Bars it is emphasised again that Sigjior Mussolini is not planning a peace conference and is not taking the initiative of any kind. The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of America says 't is officially stated that Italy will refrain at presqnt from taking the initiative in any effort- toward peacemaking. According to the Rome radio, Italian policy ' will be directed toward preventing the war from spreading, since, if it did spread, it would he disastrous for mankind. Italy will take military action only if her interests are at stake. In view of the recent German broadcast suggesting that Italy may take action if Britain and France refuse ""the Nazi "peace" terms, says a British official wireless message, prominence is given in the London evening newspapers to Borne s oflieial broadcast today, which stated: "There is no reason to doubt II Duce's words in his statement at Bologna on September 1, when he said that Italy would take no initiative in military operations. There is no reason for any change." FUEHRER'S VIEW PREMIER'S STATEMENT "CLEAR ANSWER" WANTED SPEECH BY HITLER PENDING (Received October 5, 5.5 p.m.) . LONDON", Oct. t Hitler does not regard Mr. Chamberlain's speech in the House of Commons on Tuesday as a clear answer to his peace offer, to which he requires a clear political reply, says an American correspondent in Berlin. Reports reaching Holland indicate that Hitler is leaving Berlin to-night to lead the triumphal march into .Warsaw. He will speak in the Reichstag on Friday. The Berlin official news agency says ■»' that the 'Reichstag will meet at noon on Friday to hear a Government declaration. This will probably be the occasion for Hitler's speech. HITLER CAUSE OF WAR FRENCH VIEW EMPHATIC SOLIDARITY WITH BRITAIN LONDON, Oct. 4 The Prime Minister of France, M. Daladier, in a statement to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, _ emphasised British and' French solidarity. He said: "France refuses to bow to violence tincl accept a fait accompli. She does not want a truce between acts of aggression, but permanent peace guaranteeing absolute national security within the framework of security for all nations." The cause of war was Germany's determination to dominate Europe, he added. France and Britain tried in every way-to solve Europe's differences short of war, but Hitler provoked war and must shoulder the entire responsibility. M. Daladier paid a tribute to Signor Mussolini for his last-minute peace efforts, and emphasised the "friendship and' perfect loyalty characterising Franco-Turkish relations." Mr. Chamberlain's statement in the House of Commons yesterday is heartily approved by the French press to-day,* states a British official wireless message. Reports of the speech held'first place in all the newspapers. L'Oeuvre says: "Mr. Chamberlain made his pronouncement in firm and precise \vords, which expressed the considered determination of the British people to hold out until liberty shall be saved and peace is no longer at Hitler's mercy." "Pertinax," writing in L'Oeuvre. states: "Nazi diplomats can no longer have any doubts as to the fate reserved for their 'offer.' " The Petit Parisien says: "Mr. Chamberlain replied with a strength and clearness that leaves no room for ambiguity. If Hitler, Stalin, Ribbentrop and Molotoff had any illusion that their joint declaration might shake tlio firmness of Franco-British solidity, that illusion must now be totally shattered." SOVIET PROPOSALS LITHUANIAN CABINET LONDON, Oct. The Lithuanian Cabinet is meeting to-day to make a decision on the Soviet proposals. It is reported from unofficial sources in the capital, Kaunas, that these proposals include the free passage of Russian goods across Lithuanian territory to the Latvian port of -Libau, some lorni of plebiscite in the Vilna district, and a pact of friendship. SUPPLIES FOR NAZIS DR. SCHACHT'S MISSION LONDON, Oct. 4 The former head of the I'eichsbank, Dr. Schacht, who is now Minister without portfolio, is heading a trade delegation to Moscow and will appoint Gerfiian representatives to see that Russian deliveries of petrol, ore and timber are made without delay. Dr. Schacht has also been placed in charge of the exploitation of Polish minerals. AUXILIARY SERVICES CANADIAN DIRECTORATE (Received October .Y.s p.m.) OTTAWA. Oct. 4 The Government has appointed Brigadier W. W. Foster, president of the Canadian Legion, as director of the newly created Directorate of Auxilinrv Services, the function of which will lie to utilise at home and .abroad exserVj'cijnien who are unable to enlist in the active services.