ITALIAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3596, 13 February 1923, Page 16

ITALIAN AFFAIRS.

ROAIE, February 4. Alembers of Parliament have received copies of the new commercial treaty with France. The latter is now ltalvs rest customer. February 5. ihe hanks have decided for the first time to accept crossed cheques as a safeguard against falsification. Signor Alussolini has concluded a treaty with Poland relating to petrol and minerals. France has assured Italy that the latter s coal from the Ruhr will be escorted to the Italian frontier. Formerly such deliveries to Italy amounted *0 100,000 tons monthly, but it had fallen recently to 2300 tons daily. Italy’s receipt of German coal will save her £11,000,000 annually at the present rate of exchange. Semi-official reports of operations in Tripoli state that three detachments engaged large bodies of Arabs, killing many and taking a considerable number of prisoners. The Italian casualties were limited to a few wounded. . Aeroplanes are taking an effective part against the Arabs. GOVERNMENT ACTS PROAIPTLY. ROAIE, February 5. The Communist Internationale published a violent manifesto calling on the world's workers to rise against the Fascismo. The Government thereupon ordered the arrest of 10 Communist leaders, and the seizure of Communist funds. The sums seized were considerable, 250,000 francs being found in a former parliamentarian's house. February 6. The Government’s action against the Communist conspirators is more drastic than was at first apparent. It amounts to a general clearing of all Communist and anarchist elements. The arrests are multiplying throughout the country. The Nationalist militia is ferreting out the Bolshevists everywhere, and hundreds of exponents of the Third Internatione have been lodged in gaol.