CAREFUL PLAN

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1938, Page 7

CAREFUL PLAN

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

ITALY AND GERMANY ANTI-FRENCH ACTIVITY ATTACKS ON BRITAIN FRIENDSHIP OPPOSED

Rec. 8.55 p.m. Rome, Dec. 1. During a speech by Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister, in the Chamber of Deputies to-day, he declared his intention to safeguard the interests and aspirations of Italians. This brought anti-French demonstrations and cries of "Tunisia." The demonstrations were continued outside Parliament, the crowd shouting: "Duce! Tunis! Corsica!" The Times Paris ' correspondent points out that the deihonstration altered opinion in France, not because the claims are taken seriously, although it is realised that the Italian grievances in Tunisia must be considered, but because of the conviction that Italy and Germany are engaged at present in a carefully planned attempt to weaken the Anglo-French solidarity, eVidence of which is seen in further German attacks on Britain when Herr von Ribbentrop was preparlng to go to France, ahd a new Italian outburst against France when Mr. Chamberlain was preparlng to go to Rome. "A Gr&ve Insult." The Italian newspaper Tribuna declares that the French occupation of Tunis in 1881 was a grave insult and would always be remembered by the Italians. The newspaper adds that in order to be friends with Italy it is necessary for France to repair the insults. The Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent says it is probable that France

will express to London itg apprehension that Mr. Neville Chamberlain's visit ■ to Rome may prove a disservice to FrancoItalian relations and also cause a damaging interpretalion of Franco-British solidarity concerning the Mediterranean. The correspondent adds that a stiffening in the French attitude towards Spanish affairs is anticipated. The French Press continues angrily to oppose Italian aspirations irt Tunis, Corsica and Nice, unanimotisly demanding an emphatic declaratioii from the Government of its vieW pending the signature of Ihe Franco-German pact and the realighment of the four Powers. The policy of appeasement is evoking the widest speculation. So far there is an absence of official comment from Rome. Count Ciano's confidant, Signor Ansaldo, writing to the Telegrafo, Uses phrases generally interpreted to refer to the Suez Canal, Tunis and Djibuti. He refers to the new spirit since the Munich conference and the repair ing of ancient wrongs. Why not frontier rectifications? he adds.