ITALIAN PLANS FOR FUTURE

Southland Times, Issue 24106, 20 April 1940, Page 5

ITALIAN PLANS FOR FUTURE

GOVERNMENTQUELLS RUMOURS MOBILIZATION ORDER DENIED EXCHANGE OF MISSIONS WITH GERMANY (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received April 19, 6.30 pm.) ROME, April 18. The Italian Government has taken steps to quell rumours of Italy’s intentions. An official statement denies that the Port of Bari, from which the invasion of Albania was, conducted, is a prohibited area. It denies all suggestion of mobilization and says that few men have been called up. They are only a few thousand previously exempt for medical reasons and now declared fit for service. It is officially announced in Rome that an exchange of military missions is taking place between Italy and Germany. Some missions have already arrived in Rome. The exchanges form

part of a general programme with the object of maintaining contact between the armed forces of the two nations. In the House of Commons the Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain, made a brief statement concerning _ the discussions which have been taking place between the Government and the British representatives in south-eastern Europe, who are now returned or are returning to their posts, says a British Official Wireless message from Rugby.

Mr Chamberlain said: “These consultations, which have now been concluded, have afforded evidence of the close interest which the British Government takes in the countries concerned. The purpose of the discussions has been in accordance with the Government’s settled policy of promotion of security in the Balkan and Danubian countries. NO FEAR OF ALLIES

“Not one of these States, between whom it is the desire of the Allies to see the growth of mutual understanding, has any cause to fear that the Allies or their forces will ever threaten their independence or integrity. “In the economic field, the discussions have been conducted on the basis that it is the policy of his Majesty’s Government so to develop their relations with these countries as, to ensure, as far as possible, a lasting increase in their commercial exchanges with them.”

Mr Chamberlain stated that the representatives, who also had been assisted in the discussions with the Government by the presence in London of the British Ambassador in Rome (Sir Percy Loraine) and the British Ambassador in Moscow (Sir William Seeds) had the oportunity of hearing from Lord Swinton some account of the new commercial corporation and the work which the corporation intends to carry out in order to develop and place permanently on a broader basis trade exchanges between this country and south-eastern European States.

FLEET AIR ARM IN ACTION

LONDON, April 18. It is officially stated that the Royal Air Force last night made two attacks on the Stavanger aerodrome and at several points on the Norwegian coast. Direct hits were observed on the runways in the first raid on Stavanger and bombs were seen to burst between transport aeroplanes lying on the south-west side of the aerodrome. The attack lasted an hour. In addition to the aeroplanes destroyed on the ground, two twin-engined aircraft are believed to have been shot down. Further damage is reported in the second attack. A low-level bombing attack was made against a submarine and one hit was observed. A supply ship also was attacked. Three British aeroplanes failed to return. An Admiralty communique states that during the last two days highly successful operations have been carried out by the aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm. Enemy shipping was attacked off Bergen on April 16 and one transport sunk. In addition, a submarine on the surface was attacked. One hit was obtained. British aircraft on April 17 repeatedly engaged enemy aircraft endeavouring to attack ships returning from the bombardment of the Stavanger aerodrome. One Heinkel and one Dornier flyingboat were shot down, while two more Heinkels and another Dornier were damaged. All the British aircraft returned safely. The cruiser which was announced yesterday to have been damaged by an air attack after the bombardment of an aerodrome has now reached its base. The Norwegian Minister in London (M Erik Colban) acknowledging a donation of £5OO from the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Board, said: “I hardly need to say how deeply moved I am personally by this magnificent sign of sympathy by the citizens of New Zealand. My compatriots, in their present difficulties, will get new force through signs of friendship like this.”