The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1936. SWEDEN AND ITALY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 14, 17 January 1936, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1936. SWEDEN AND ITALY

i -pHE bombing of the Swedish Red Cross Hospital in Abyssinia j by the Italian Army seems to be now admitted by the Italians I themselves, for they are now bringing forward the excuse that j shots were fired from the Red Cross camp which was the sub- ■. jeet of aerial bombing and machine-gunning. The more likely reason for the Italian action is the resentment felt in high places at the attitude of Sweden itself towards Italy. Public opinion in Sweden is unanimous in condemning , Italy for her aggression against Abyssinia. Not only so, but it ; is sceptical of the efforts of France and the mediatory activities ; of M. Laval. The Swedish public does not consider that an J aggressor, who has been condemned by such an overwhelming , majority of the nations, should bo allowed to discuss the terms < on which he would consent to stop aggression. The parallel case 1 of a man charged with assault and found guilty thereof, arguing 1 with the Judge as to what he shall receive to refrain from ’ continuing such conduct. Put in that way the case against Italy i is overwhelming, and it is also a condemnation of the action of France. Sweden is called '■Freedom s Home on Earth,” and the ' Swedes, with their blood brothers, the Norwegians and the i Danes, constitute what is known in Europe as the Northern Bloc. ‘ It has been brought home to these nations that their neutrality t cannot be regarded as sufficiently safeguarded by the League of J Nations. 'se nations have been in the forefront of the move- j; ment which has maintained the League as an instrument for ' international co-operation, but they are politically experienced. < None are more so in Europe, and they are also realists. They have been driven to the conclusion that the safety of small ; nations in the present state of the world cannot be attained with- I 5 out a defence organisation which is adequate to the needs of the occasion. These small nations arc each too small to maintain ‘ adequate military forces, consequently they arc drawing to- i gether in closer co-operation in their mutual defence. ‘ Prohibition of credit facilities in Sweden with Italy would j only affect commercial credits, because since the beginning oi the crisis the Swedish bankers have abstained from granting ] other loans to Italy. Exports to Italy consist largely of chemical i | pulp, which is required for the Italian rayon trade, and the loss of this source of supply would be a serious matter for the latter I industry, and has disturbed the Italians very deeply. Such supI plies would, of course, be available from other sources, but to : make new connections at a time when Italy’s finances are hopelessly inadequate to her national commitments' is by no means ! a desirable adventure. For Italy to be suffering from such a series of inconveniences through the conduct of a numerically .small nation is more than annoying, and the irritation of Italy’s rulers can be understod. To have resorted to the bombing of a Red Cross Hospital, however, was the gravest of mistakes, to say Hie least. It has increased the resentment against Italy and lessened whatever sympathy for her case that may have existed. | -- \