VISIT TO TUNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23693, 28 December 1938, Page 7

VISIT TO TUNIS

FRENCH PRIME MINISTER AN ESCORT OF WARSHIPS ITALY WATCHING CLOSELY (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 27. (Received Dec. 27, at 10 p.m.) As M. Daladier’s ship cruises past Sardinia, Sicily, on his visit to Tunis he will have an escort of three new 10,000-ton battleships and the fifth seventh and ninth destroyer divisions.

The Daily Mail says Italy is watching M. Daladier’s programme with the closest possible attention. Signor Mussolini is concentrating his naval forces as a reply to M. Daladier’s display. Dr Gayda says: “It is evident that France intends a warlike demonstration.”

The Rome correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says Italy’s claims to Tunisia and Djibouti are still being given prominence in the press, which now alleges that Germany supports Rome, and that Britain refuses to support France’s refusal to cede territory. It is stated that France must eventually surrender to force of circumstances. ALL QUIET IN TUNIS COUNCIL CARRYING ON PARIS, Dec. 26. M. Labonne, the French Residentgeneral, arrived from Tunis and conferred with M. Daladier respecting the latter’s forthcoming visit. He reported that everything was quiet, and that the Tunisian Grand Council was carrying on harmoniously. The correspondent of the British United Press says a big naval demonstration is being planned for M. Daladier’s visit. The squadron will include 23 warships, many submarines, and an aircraft carrier. It is understood that the Government intends to ask Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax to confer with the French Ministers while en route to Rome.