BRITAIN HOLDS FAST TO MALTA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20531, 24 September 1936, Page 9

BRITAIN HOLDS FAST TO MALTA

VITAL EMPIRE HIGHWAY STATEMENT BY HEAD OF ADMIRALTY VIEWS CHALLENGED BY ITALIANS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 22. In a statement to the Press on his return from the Mediterranean, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Samuel Hoare said: “Far from scuttling from Malta and abdicating our position in the Mediterranean, we intend to face the new and difficult problems, and make the position secure as a vital Empire highway. It is not a threat against anyone. The Italian Press is urging us to clarify the position. It is exactly as it has always been. We wish to live in friendly relationship with others, and be secure in our communications.” Sir Samuel Hoare, speaking on Mediterranean problems, said; “We hope in future we shall be in the best possible relations with all Mediterranean Powers, including Italy, but that does not absolve us from making our own communications, not such as to revolution-1 ise our policy, but enough to cause us to adapt ourselves to the new conditions. We will have to make the fullest possible use of our own power.” Sir Samuel Hoare added that the military future of Cyprus is still being considered. ITALY’S SCATHING COMMENTS FIRST LORD’S STATEMENT CHALLENGED United Press Association—By KlKstrle Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 23, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, September 23. The Rome correspondent of “The Morning Post” says; Sir Samuel Hoare’s statement that Britain has no new Mediterranean policy, is disbelieved here. Authoritative Italian circles point out that until autumn, 1934 the British Mediterranean policy ran parallel with Italy’s. It was based on friendship, whereas now it is based on non-friendship, arising out of the Abyssinian war. It is also asked how can Britain expect Italian co-opera-tion in one part of Europe, while Britain is preparing a Mediterranean encirclement which can only be directed against Italy. FLEET TO CRUISE MOVEMENTS IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN British Official Wireless (Received September 23, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, September 22. It is announced that certain ships of the Mediterranean fleet will carry out a short cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Qi.een Elizabeth, the flagship of the Conunander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, the Repulse and the Glorious will leave Malta o ■ September 30, and they will be accompanied to sea by the Galatea, the flagship of the Rear-Admiral, destroyers and the First Destroyer Flotilla. The Galatea and destroyers will return to Malta after the exercises have been carried out. The Byron will leave Malta on October 4 to join the Commander-in-Chief.