CHANGE IN ITALY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22742, 30 November 1935, Page 13

CHANGE IN ITALY

A FEELING OF DESPAIR LEADER MENTALLY DEPRESSED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph — Copyright) LONDON, November 28. The Paris correspondent of the Manchester Guardian says that most reliable information suggests that the Italian Government is approaching a point when it will readily accept any settlement which can be regarded as “ honourable.” Signor Mussolini is suffering from mental depression and sees hardly anyone, and has become impossible to talk to. He is verging on despair, a feeling which is growing in a country where the people are notoriously home and peace loving. ' GOLD RESERVES DWINDLING LONDON, November 28. The Rome correspondent of the Daily Express says that the Bank of Italy has stopped publishing financial statements. Consequently, it is impossible to gauge how much gold is left in the Treasury—a sure indication of the country’s plight. Despite the steady procession of people bringing gold rings and other jewellery as freewill offerings to the Government, Italy’s gold reserves must be nearing exhaustion. NO CREDITS FOR ITALY GENEVA, November 28. The sub-committee of financial experts decided that Italy must pay_ cash for all goods brought from Sanctionist countries. Even 16-day credits will be refused. BAN ON ENTERTAINMENTS ROME* November 28. Plays of Sanctionist countries (excepting Shakespeare and Bernard Shaw) and foreign music have been banned in Italy. All forms of light music have been forbidden. MR BERNARD SHAW’S COMMENT LONDON, November 29. (Received Nov. 30, at 0.45 a.m.) Mr Bernard Shaw said: “It is very flattering to be associated with Shakespeare, but I object to my plays receiving preferential treatment in Italy because they are ‘ anti-British.’ I have instructed my agent® not to apply for exceptions in my favour. I am quite friendly with Italy, but I cannot accept the position of an anti-British author. I consider myself one of Britain’s best friends.” OIL SANCTIONS PROPOSAL LONDON, November 28. The Sun-Herald says that oil sanctions are regarded in London to-night as an odds-on chance. Government circles are not concerned at the reported mysterious movement of Italian troops, which, if it is correct, is intended to, influence M. Laval. A MOMENTOUS QUESTION LONDON, November 29. (Received Nov. 30, at 0.45 a.m.) The Morning Post’s political correspondent says: “ The British Government has not yet reached a decision regarding the oil embargo, but its attitude will probably be determined at a Cabinet meeting on December 6. The question whether or not to press for an oil embargo is admitted to be one of the most momentous that has yet arisen, and it is fraught with serious consequences. The British view, however, is that the contingency is covered by Paragraph 3 of Article 16 of the League Covenant, whereby members agree mutually to support one another in resisting special measures aimed at one of their number by a Covenant-breaking State. As long as sanctionista fulfil this obligation it is felt in London that there is no need to fear the complications which are. being threatened.” COMMITTEE OF EIGHTEEN LONDON, November 28. The business of the Committee of Eighteen will be to receive the report of experts on the working of the measures of financial and economic pressure undertaken by the Covenant enforcing States against Italy, and to consider further the recommendation of the Canadian Government (already approved in principle) for the addition of other products, including coal, iron, and oil, to those the export of which to Italy is prohibited. BANNING OF WAR MATERIAL GENEVA, November 28. Mr E. J. Shackle, a representative of the British Board of Trade, reported that the sanctions (financial and economic) sub-committees, after a special examination, stated that the banning of war material to Italy was working satisfactorily. The sub-committees appointed iurKisn, Spanish, and Russian delegates to report whether sanctions were applicable in the colonies, protectorates, and mandates of League members. NEW ITALIAN COMMANDER ASMARA, November 29. Marshal Badoglio arrived and was rapturously received, with gun salutes the ringing of bells, and the blowing of sirens. He said: “We shall start work immediately and shall go to the front line to-morrow.” ' ITALY’S THREAT TO FRANCE LONDON, November 28. (Received Nov, 29, at 5.5 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s Paris correspondent says: “Sir George Clerk has been instructed to ask M. Laval to make it clear to Italy that an attack by the Italian Fleet-or Air Force would find England and France closely united, supported by the whole world.” The Times Paris crorespondent says: “ The report that M. Laval told Signor Cej-utti an Italian attack on Britain would cause France militarily to support Britain is not confirmed, but if he did so he was merely informing Signor Mussolini of assurances already given to Britain.” The Times points out that any return of Italian troops to the French-Italian frontier could not fail to be reported. Accordingly the absence of news from there has a negative value. Nevertheless, the fear of such a move contributes to tbe French desire not to push Italy harder, which desire is natural when it is remembered that the withdrawal of French and Italian troops from the frontier is worth 200,000 men to France when man-power is at a low ebb. It is felt that Signor Mussolini is making an effort to deter most strongly the supporters of an oil embargo by playing on their fears. He undoubtedly threatened France with most serious consequences, but whether he wasted time in conveying a similar" threat to Britain is not known

FIERY CROSS MOVEMENT PARIS, November 28. (Received Nov. 29, at 10 p.m.) M. Laval easily won the first trick when he secured a majority of 120 on the question of procedure, but it is unsafe to assume that this means more than a short life for the Government. Members welcomed the early adjournment, having seen the new Bank of France return showing that another £18,000,000 of gold left the country last week, but the Bourse showed a sharp rally in State securities.. j Colonel de la Rocque, head of the Fiery Cross, denied alleged plots to seize power. He said the movement was essentially orderly and was called Fascist only by its opponents. “What we want is a strong State serving the public interests, and a clean Parliament without corruption.” AIR RAID ON DAGABUR ROME, November 29. (Received Nov. 29, at 10 p.m.) A communique announces that two squadrons of ten giant Caproni bombers raided Dagabur. The first dropped half its load on fortifications and four minutes later the second flew over and bombed the same areas, after which both observed the effects of the attack for five minutes before they released the remainder. The whole affair occupied 15 minutes and the planes dropped 30 tons of bombs. IF ITALY ATTACKED BRITAIN M. LAVAL’S ASSURANCE LONDON, November 28. (Received Nov. 29, at 10 p.m.) The News-Chronicle and the Daily Herald give prominence to the statement that M. Laval warned Signor Mussolini that France would support Britain in the event of hostility against the British in the Mediterranean, which, moreover, would involve war with the whole League,' the members of which were bound to support the country singled out by a Covenant breaker. The Daily Herald declares that M. Laval told Signor Cerutti that It would be impossible for France to continue simultaneously supporting the League and helping Italy. The Herald adds: “ M. Laval is increasingly anxious owing to the menacing attitude of Signor Mussolini, who is elated at the success of his whispering campaign. It is now announced that in view of troop movements and the Rome rumour that they are going to the French-Italian frontier M. Laval appealed to II Duec to confine his desperate game to words and avoid making further French-Italian co-opera-tion impossible. Signor Mussolini has summoned an emergency Cabinet meeting for 10 a.m. on November 30, presumably to discuss oil and coal sanctions, which it is understood Signor Ceriifti told M. Laval - ould probably cause Signor Mussolini to “ react violently,” resulting in Italy leaving the League and breaking off diplomatic relations with the chief sanctionists, which would further complicate the attempts at a settlement. Meanwhile the proposed new sanctions have aroused intense bitterness in Rome, where it is declared that the troop movements were a warning to the sanctionist States of the seriousness of the position. The Daily Telegraph’s Paris correspondent, recalling that M. Laval, on October 26, promised support in thi event of an Italian attack on Britain, says it has been found in London that Signor Mussolini is under a misapprehension in that connection which might constitute a danger to peace. Accordingly M. Laval repeated his assurance.