B.B.C.’S BROADCAST BLUNDER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20928, 6 January 1938, Page 7

B.B.C.’S BROADCAST BLUNDER

ITALIAN CRITICISM INCLUDED POLITICAL CIRCLES AMAZED REGARDED AS AFFRONT TO ITALY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 5, 5.5 p.m.) ROME, January 5. Italian officials who are keeping an eye on Britain’s broadcasts were surprised to-night when the 8.8. C. broadcasts to the Arab-speaking countries contained the Italian attacks on Britain, including that by Signor Viginno Gayda in "The Berliner Tageblatt.”

In this article Signor Gayda, who is regarded as the spokesman for Signor Mussolini, complains that no decisive step has yet been taken to implement the Anglo-Italian gentlemen’s agreement concluded a year ago. He desscribes the British foreign policy as “obscure, degenerate, and hesitating.” “The presence of Italian volunteers in Spain" adds the writer, “neither threatens British Mediterranean communications nor constitutes a breach of the gentlemen’s agreement, because Italy is not seeking anything in Spain. There are four conditions necessary," the article adds, “for the improvement of Anglo-Italian relations: (1) A will to that end—which to-day is almost non-existent. (2) Recognition of the Italian conquest of Abyssinia. (3) Confidence and loyalty, especially in the Spanish question. (4) Candid recognition of new historic realities— Fascism, National Socialism, the Ber-lin-Rome axis, and Italy’s and Germany’s final departure from the League of Nations. Until the position of the others becomes clearer,” the article concludes, “Italy goes her imperial way in full agreement with her mighty political friend—ready for everything."

BRITAIN ASTONISHED QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT CERTAIN United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 5, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 4. “The Daily Sketch” says: When the House of Commons reassembles in February astounded members will demand to know why Italian attacks against Britain were broadcast to Arab speaking countries. They will particularly ask what fantastic explanation lies behind the broadcast of Signor Gayda’s article. Anglo-Italian Discussion The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says: The British Ambassador (Lord Perth) in conversation with Count Ciano (Italian Foreign Minister), on the broadcasts stated the initiative for the talks came from Italy. The outcome may be an arrangement between the Italian and British Governments, whereby the broadcast will be kept within limits satisfactory to both. Official quarters did not comment on the British Arabic broadcast, but admit privately that it was not objectionable. They say that future broadcasts will be followed as carefully as the first. In the meantime, the newspapers, in the absence of a lead from the Government, continue to regard the broadcasts as a direct affront to Italy.

DIFFICULTIES OF PROGRAMME MAKERS INCISIVE PRESS CRITICISM United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 6, 12.55 a.m.) LONDON, January 5. “The Daily Mail” reports that the second Anglo-Arabic programme included English folk songs and orchestral pieces. However the Arabs do not appreciate Western music, which they describe as Idiotic. Accordingly the 8.8. C. is discussing i' :-.s for bringing to London well-known Egyptian artists, whose singing is regarded as fascinating. They also propose to broadcast Arabic songs and music from records.

“The Dally Telegraph” says: The British difficulty is that Arabic songs often freely express sentiments that would shock British taste, although in accordance with classical tradition, as Burton’s translation of "The Arabian Nights” proves. Therefore what is sauce for Bari is over saucy for Broadcasting House.

UNDERCURRENT OF FEAR CONDITIONS IN EUROPE SMALLER COUNTRIES ARMING By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, January 5. Tire people of the smaller countries in Europe realise that in the event of their being attacked they cannot rely on outside assistance. Therefore they are arming. In most European countries there is a definite undercurrent of fear. Mr E. W. Hullett, chief chemist at the Wheat Research Institute, gained these impressions during a nine months’ tour abroad.

There was evidence of preparations for war in Holland, he said in an interview to-day, and Denmark appeared to fear Germany. “The people of England are afraid of the possibility of air attacks, but probably that fear is general in most European countries,” he added. "English people I met considered that we

in New Zealand had an advantage in that we were unlikely to be subject to such attacks.” Working to Capacity While in England Mr Hullett visited a number of factories, all of which were working to capacity. Perhaps it was a significant indication of the policy of rearmament that some factories were finding it difficult to acquire certain machine tools. The principal of one firm had been informed that he would have to wait two years for a special tool. Mr Hullett said that he had also heard it said, but he could not confirm the statement, that English factories were being mobilised for defence. A German View From conversations he had with educated Germans, he gained the impression that the German people regarded the alliance with Italy as a matter of convenience. On the other hand, the Germans excused the acquisitive policy of the Japanese and Italians on the ground that they were virile people, and therefore they must expand. Might was right, according to their dictum. The millers in Germany were obliged to store seven or eight weeks’ supply of wheat as part of the policy of preparedness for war. They were also instructed in methods of clearing wheat and flour of poison gases in the event of air attacks.

While the people of Germany seemed to feel that things were better now than before Hitler gained power, the business man found the rigid Governmental control very irksome. This control was so firm that many businesses were finding it difficult to carry on. Heavy fines were imposed if a man or a firm was considered to be making too high a profit.