ITALY’S PLIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 22813, 12 February 1936, Page 7

ITALY’S PLIGHT

PRESSURE OF LEAGUE HOSTILITY BERLIN NEGOTIATIONS DENIED SECURITY OF LOCARNO THREATENED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.35 p.m.) London, February 11. The possibility of an understanding between Italy and Germany continues to be discussed. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Mail emphasizes that it is growing clearer every day that Signor Mussolini may be forced by the continued hostility of the League of Nations to declare Italy no longer a guarantor of the Locarno Pact, thus enabling Ger-, many to claim that the whole treaty has 'lapsed. M. Flandin (the French Foreign Minister) realizes the danger, but is still hopeful that he can manoeuvre to maintain the vital link with London without estranging Rome. He is also apparently optimistic that some early acceptable settlement will be made between Italy and Abyssinia which would enable the speedy reestablishment of the Stresa front. If this is not done there are many who believe that the next move will be some working agreement between Rome and Berlin. The Rome correspondent of the Daily Mail says that it is officially denied that Italy is negotiating for an understanding’with Germany and that it cannot be doubted that Italy would prefer to keep the Stresa front in existence if possible. Nevertheless it is asserted that Italy cannot indefinitely keep up even an appearance of friendship with nations doing their utmost to prevent a successful solution of the conflict between Italy and Abyssinia. The Italians consider that they have been betrayed, and this feeling will probably continue to rankle long after the East African campaign is finished. . The interruption of Italian trade with England and France has. already intensified Italy’s commercial relations with Germany, states the' correspondent, and commercial relations are often the fore-runner of close political relations. It is declared that the day may not be far distant when Italy will be obliged to adopt an official policy more in keeping with realities than the present situation THE SANCTIONS EXPERTS TASK ALMOST COMPLETED. (British Official Wireless). (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, February 10. A message from Geneva states that the Committee of Experts which is studying oil sanctions is expected to finish its task to-morrow, when a plenary meeting of the sub-committee will be held to discuss and adopt the final report, which, it is anticipated, will be transmitted to the Governments. March 2 is mentioned as the possible date of the assembly of the Committee of Eighteen to consider the report.