ITALY LOOKS TO OWN SECURITY

Southland Times, Issue 24002, 18 December 1939, Page 7

ITALY LOOKS TO OWN SECURITY

AXIS SOLIDARITY REAFFIRMED COUNT CIANO SPEAKS TO FASCISTS NO DESIRE FOR BALKAN BLOC (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 17, 6.30 p.m.) ROME, December 16. The Fascist Chamber was packed when the Foreign Minister (Count Galeazzo Ciano) delivered a speech on international affairs. Signor Mussolini was present. Count Ciano said that it was Italy’s duty to assure her own security and independence. He declared that Italy’s realistic attitude prevented a widening of the European conflict He defended the Abyssinian campaign and Italy’s action in the Spanish war. Referring to the Anti-Comintem Pact, Count Ciano claimed that Signor Mussolini was the first to fight Bolshevism. Reaffirming the solidarity of the Berlin-Rome Axis, Count Ciano said that it was the encirclement of Germany, and not the Polish Corridor or Danzig, which led to the war. More-

over, the British and French Governments had designs on the Mediterranean which conflicted with Italian interests. He paid a tribute to the bravery of the Poles and declared that the British and French guarantee was responsible for their attitude to Germany. On August 21 Count Ciano received a message from the Nazi Foreign Minister (Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop) saying that he' was going to Moscow to sign a pact with Russia. The situation towards the end of August became graver and Italy did not omit to take precautions for her national safety. On August 31 she decided ' on a pacific attitude. Her intention not to fight was known to the German Government and to no other and was the reason for the telegram from the Reich stating that Germany had not thought it necessary to ask Italy for assistance. The purpose of Germany’s agreement with Moscow was to ensure that Russia should keep out of the encirclement plan and remain neutral. If the democracies had ignored Moscow Germany would have found a way to do likewise.

“Italy continues to follow the development of events and is ever ready, if possible, to give again a contribution towards world peace,” he said. “She is equally determined to protect her interests on land and sea and her future as a great Power.” Count Ciano reaffirmed Italy’s desire to see peace and friendship in the Balkans, but not through a bloc.

POLISH ARISTOCRATS SENT TO CAMPS

ACTION TAKEN BY NAZIS

(Received December 17, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 16.

The French radio announced that the Nazis have sent more Polish aristocrats into concentration camps, including Prince Olgierd Czartoryski and three other members of this well-known family, besides Prince Leon Sapieha and Senator Korawski.