BRITAIN AND ITALY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23463, 30 March 1938, Page 9

BRITAIN AND ITALY

NEGOTIATIONS FOR PACT LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFUL A FORMULA PFIEPARED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph-Copyright) LONDON, Mar. 28. The Australian Associated Press understands that Signor Mussolini is prepared to go further than at first seemed likely, and there is every likelihood of an accord much more substantia] than a mere clearing of suspicions. A formula has been prepared involving undertakings in Spain, Egypt, Palestine, Arabia, the Mediterranean, and the Red Sea Great Britain will be required to notify her defences in Palestine and the Red Sea islands, and to recognise the Abyssinian conquest.' Signor Mussolini will be required to withdraw troops from Spain and evacuate the Balearics. Apparently Herr Hitler’s Austrian coup and the arrival of Germans at the Brenner Pass has increased the Duce’s desire for a comprehensive Anglo-Italian agreement before Herr Hitler’s visit to Rome. Signor Mussolini believes that the agreement will give Italy a wider influence throughout Europe, especially in Jugoslavia and Hungary. Evidently the Italians suspect that Herr Hitler primarily evolved the Rome-Berlin axis to ensure that Italy will not interfere with Austria, and now they fear that Herr Hitler will pay little heed to the axis. The Duce is anxious to withdraw the troops from Spain and transfer them to the Brenner Pass.