THE ITALIAN CABINET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22904, 11 June 1936, Page 9

THE ITALIAN CABINET

A SIGNIFICANT RESHUFFLE

GREATER POWERS FOR MEMBERS ROME, June 9. A significant Cabinet reshuffle is inteE reted as foreshadowing constitutional alterations, giving greater power to Ministers and reducing Signor Mussolini’s responsibilities. 11 Duce lias divested himself of the portfolios Of Foreign Affairs, Colonies, and Corporations, which go respectively to Count Ciano, his son-in-law, Signor Lessona, and Signor Lantini, while Signor Bastiannini becomes Foreign Secretary in succession to Signor Suvich, who unexpectedly resigned, securing laudatory tributes from Signor Mussolini for his services.

WHEN SANCTIONS ARE LIFTED

ROME, June 10. (Received June 11, at 0.15 a.m.)

It is unofficially stated that Signor Mussolini, as soon as sanctions are lifted, will also relinquish the War, Navy and Air portfolios, which will be merged into the Ministry of National Defence, with Marshal Badoglio as Minister.

THE NEW FOREIGN MINISTER LONDON, June 10. (Received,, June 11, at 0.15 a.m.) The Times Rome correspondent reports that Signor Mussolini’s surrender of the Foreign Office is regarded as a wise move, since the new Foreign Minister, once Italy has emerged from her state of isolation, will presumably represent Italy at Geneva and other international conferences abroad, thereby giving additional weight to Italian participation. It is, therefore, deduced that Signor Mussolini is now convinced of the imminent repeal of sanctions and is making ready to give all the force he can to Italy’s resumption of her place among other nations. Count Ciano’s appointment is also probably intended as a symptom of relaxed tension in Europe, though, of course, it will not deflect Italian foreign policy from any line Signor Mussolini chooses to give it.