UNION OF ITALY AND ALBANIA

Southland Times, Issue 23794, 17 April 1939, Page 8

UNION OF ITALY AND ALBANIA

HISTORY QUOTED AS JUSTIFICATION WARNING TO YUGOSLAVIA RECALLED (Received April 16, 7.30 p.m.) ROME, April 15. Signor Mussolini and Field-Marshal Herman Goering, who is visiting Rome, received a great ovation in the Chamber of Fasces and Corporations, to which the Foreign 4 Minister (Count Galeazzo Ciano) announced the union of Italy and Albania., “The Albanians now have prosperity and liberty,” said Count Ciano. In a long historical survey he claimed that Italy’s interest in Albania dated back to the third century before Christ. , “When I was in Yugoslavia in January,” he added, “I warned the Government that there might be modifications of Italy’s relations with King Zog, who attempted to spoil Italy’s good relations with Yugoslavia and arbitrarily used Italian financial aid. Yet Italy continued to help the Albanians to build bridges and roads, and every industrial undertaking is Italian. The country has spontaneously thrown off a sordid medieval tyranny. The welcome the Italians were given proved that II Duce’s policy was right. All the Albanian cities are intact and all homes are standing. I deplore the headlines in foreign newspapers.” Count Ciano then attacked the democracies. ' He said any attempt to upset the union of Italy and Albania would be met by action. The destinies of Italy and Albania were forever linked.

Cheering followed references to Japan’s friendship. Count Ciano said that Mr Chamberlain’s speech was based on unchecked reports and ignored history, but Italy fully agreed with the Prime Minister about the necessity for maintaining the Anglo-Italian Agreement. Interest at 6 per cent, would be secured on taxation and revenue in Albania. Bonds would be redeemable in 1966; the first half would be issued on June 1 and the second on October 1. Bonds of a similar amount would be issued to finance the work of reconstruction.

At Casablanca (French Morocco) crowds of natives demonstrated against Italy and Germany over the invasion of Albania, declaring- Italy to be “Islam’s Public Enemy No. 1.” demonstrations against the occupation of Albania have occurred in the principal Syrian and Lebanese towns. Three thousand demonstrated in Damascus. The Arab Press urges a boycott of Italian goods. Queen Geraldine, consort of the exiled King Zog, has completely recovered from puerperal fever and has left hospital. GREEK PRECAUTIONS AT CORFU HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ITALIANS ATHENS, April 16. In view of the heavy concentrations of Italian troops and material on the Dodecanese Islands Greece has sent a regiment to Corfu and is reinforcing her Albanian frontier. All war materials and stores on Corfu have been transferred from the coastal forts to the interior. A Royal decree has been drawn up mobilizing 12 classes of reservists. Six torpedo boats have left for Crete and the Government has commandeered forty freighters.