ALLIES AND ITALY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24851, 24 March 1944, Page 3

ALLIES AND ITALY

ATTITUDE _TO_ BADOGLIO RUSSIA'S SEPARATE ACTION (Reed. C.85 p.m.) LONDON. March 22 The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, replied to several questions in the House of Commons regarding the future Government of Italy. The Allied Advisory Council for Italy established after the Moscow Conference had held eight meetings, said Mr. Eden. The council, which was representative of the United States, Soviet,' British, Greek and Yugoslav Governments and the French Committee of National Liberation, had, of course, made no recommendation to the Governments concerned that there should be a resumption of diplomatic relations with the Badoglio Government." Position After Pall of Rome Mr. Eden was further asked whether the Soviet Government was associated with the provisional agreement between Britain and the United States to take a new view of the future Government of Italy after the occupation of Rome. He replied that the Italian campaign had been a British and American operation, and for this reason the British and United States Governments alone were parties to the agreement. The Soviet Government had not expressed dissent either to the British Government or to the Advisory Council. "There has been no complaint at all," added Mr. Eden. "I think the matter can be left to the Soviet Government. Immense pains have been taken by the British and United States Governments to consult the Soviet at every stage of this Italian business." Question of Consultation Asked whether the British Government was consulted before the Soviet and Italian Governments agreed to establish formal diplomatic relations by exchanging Ambassadors, and whether the British Government proposed taking similar steps, the Foreign Secretary said: "Communications have passed between the British Government, and the Italian Government regarding the exchange of diplomatic representatives. "The British Government does not intend to alter the existing position under which the relations between this country and the Italian Government are conducted through the medium of the Allied Control Commission, set up under Iho terms of the armistice with Italy. The Government is in communication with the Soviet Government regarding the exchange of representatives between that Government and the Italian Gove -nment as to why it was not consulted beforehand. I have no further statement to make on the matter at present."

RAIDS ON ENGLAND DAMAGE IN LONDON AREA (Reed. G.UO p.m.) LONDON, March 23 A smaller force of German night raiders than usual was over south-east England last night. Some reached the London area. So far one raider is known to have been destroyed. It is believed that about as many raiders were over England on Tuesday night as were in last week's attack, when about 100 participated, but the indications are that more raiders reached the Greater London area. The bombers appeared to operate in three waves, scattering incendiaries over a wide area. They dropped canisters from leading planes in a long line for the guidance of later planes. A thunderous barrage greeted the aircraft. At one period the night became almost like day with flares, rocket and anti-aircraft shells bursting over a wide expanse of sky. Two explosives fell in front of two largo blocks of flats in a London suburb, in which 100 Hats were wrecked, but only two persons were killed. Incendiaries set fire to a nursery on the outskirts of London. Nurses and other members of the staff climbed down tho fire escapes with 22 babies in their arms and within a few minutes had them all safe in afiother nursery. The Evening Standard says a total of 114 raiders have been destroyed since t lie raids on London were resumed on January 21.

NEW INCENDIARY BOMB AMERICAN "BLOCK BURNER" (Heed. 5.3-) p.m. WASHINGTON, March 'Si American airmen in Europe are dropping a new 5001b. "block burner," which cannot ho extinguished once it is set 011 lire. According to the War Department, the "block burner" contains a mixture of jellied oil and finely-powdered magnesium. It is ignited by a small powder charge.

ATLANTIC CHARTER CLARIFICATION NEEDED (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 22 The Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, replied in the House of Commons today to a question by Mr. D. 1,. Lipson (independent Cheltenham), who asked, in view of the _ doubts which existed as to what territories the principle,s of the Atlantic Charter are to apply, if the Prime Minister would make a clarifying statement. Mr. Churchill said: "It is evident that, as the changing phases of the war succeeded one another, some further clarification will be required of the position under the document, which has become honourably known aS tho Atlantic Charter. This must he the subject for renewed consideration. I am not prepared to embark upon this subject at question time to-day." Asked if the support of the Government for the principles of the Atlantic Charter remained as strong to-day as when it was signed, Mr. Churchill replug that his answer implied no contradiction of the member's question