The Wanganui Chronicle. TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1935. THE BALZANO MANOEUVRES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 200, 27 August 1935, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle. TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1935. THE BALZANO MANOEUVRES

pTALY’S military manoeuvres on her northern frontier, where half a million men are massed, are of such magnitude that they almost divert attention for a moment from the East African campaign. The reason for the appearance of this great war machine in the north is summed up in the one word, “Austria.” It would be putting it mildly to say that Italy’s ardent preoccupation with North-eastern African affairs has created nervousness in Austrian Government quarters, although it is true that on June 11 Signor Mussolini officially assured the Austrian Government of Italy’s unchanged and unwavering support of Austria’s independence. Even the most optimistic quarters doubted whether, with the diversion in Abyssinia, Italy could give such full support to Austria as a year ago, and fears were expressed that Germany would exploit Italy’s preoccupation by another direct or indirect push for some form of “conquest” in Austria. The Duee knew that these fears in. Austria, and corresponding hopes in some quarters in Germany, existed, and this is undoubtedly the reason for the present manoeuvres, which, demonstrate to the world the undoubted determination of Italy to maintain Austria as a buffer State.

A significant item in. the news is the report that General Moyran, accompanied by a French military mission, is witnessing the Balzano operations. General Moyran commands the 15th Army Corps at Marseilles, which would be the first to co-operate with Italy in the event of an attack upon Austrian independence. The manoeuvres rightly may be regarded as a logical sequel to the Franco-Italian understanding reached when General Gamc]in, the French Chief of Staff, went to Rome. This visit revealed a far-reaching military co-operation, amounting almost to an alliance, between Italy and France, placing Italy in a position to take troops from Milan and Cuneo to the Austrian frontier without endangering her own western border. It is believed in some quarters that under the agreement arrived at between M. Laval and Signor Mussolini in Rome on January 6, a German attack on Austria would bring a French attack on Germany, besides Italy’s defence of Austria. Italy holds strong cards, and appears to be playing them, but time may not see her position maintained with such strength. 'l'he Anglo-German Naval Paet filled the Austrian Nazis with new hopes, while an Italo-Abyssinian conflict, if it eventuates, must detract from any part which Italy might be called upon to play in Europe. Moreover, public opinion in Austria is strongly anti-Italian. Magyar public opinion, on the contrary, is strongly pro-Italian. When the news of a possible Italian war in Abyssinia reached Hungary 4000 Magyar volunteers offered 1o serve in Abyssinia under the Italian colours. Yugoslavia is also keenly watching the African development. Since the ascent of the Stoyadinoviteh Government the army (under the leadership of General Zifkoviteh) lias played a rather dominating role, even though only in the background, and the i ugoslav army is none too friendly to Italy. These are some of the factors in the Austrian situation.'the development of which holds dangerous possibilities. In the meantime, however, the world is given an idea of the present strength of the Italian hand in the North.