BRITAIN AND ITALY

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19766, 23 December 1935, Page 7

BRITAIN AND ITALY

WILL THERE BE WAR ? EUROPE ON WAY TO A SERIOUS CRISIS ARMED STRUGGLE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN FEARED. (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright.) (Received Dec. 23, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22. The Sun-Herald says: “It is long since the international situation at Yuletide has been so menacing. Whatever has emerged during the past few days, nothing is clearer than that Italy is more determined than ever to blame Britain for any happening contrary to her welfare.” The future of the Mediterranean is discussed in all quarters. Germany regards the speeches of Mr Stanley Baldwin and Sir Samuel Hoare as evidence of their belief that\war is by no means a distapt possibility. The Berliner Tageblatt says: “However we look at the matter we come back to the fact that Britain officially admits that Europe is on the way to a serious crisis, with the possibility of an armed struggle in the Mediterranean, in which Britain and Italy .are the chief figures. There is not the slightest hint as to how the British Government proposes to avoid the calamity.”

PEACE OF WAR?

BRITAIN HELD RESPONSIBLE. HAS KILLED PARIS PROPOSALS. FASCIST COUNCIL’S CHARGES. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel., Copyright. ROME, Dec. 21. It is unofficially declared that the Fascist Grand Council’s communique, which avoided indicating either approval or disapproval of the Paris proposals, is meant to convey first that the full share of responsibility is placed upon Britain l'or the continuance of the struggle, and, second, that Britain has overthrown the French proposals (the communique spoke of the Paris proposals as being “ due to French initiative ”). The fact that the Council on December 18 “ fully examined ” the proposals is held to imply that It considered them favourably; in othcar words, the choice between peace and war is made to lie in Britain’s hands. If it is argued that the proposals are dead, it is Britain which has killed them. .

Italy, It Is added, will not take the initiative In bringing them to life or making counter-proposals.

\ WAR MATERIALS. * EXPORT FROM UNITED STATES. BRISK BUSINESS CONTINUES. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. WASHINGTON, Dec. 21. The trade figures for November reveal a continued brisk business in the export of war essentials to Italy, despite the State Department’s efforts to discourage such exports. The month’s trade with Italy is valued at 9,064,000 dollars, which is less than 1,000,000 dollars above the corresponding month in 1934.- However, tlie sale of non-war material has suffered while the amounts of petroleum products,, copper, scrap iron motor-cars and tractors have greatly increased.

IN EVENT OF ATTACK. PLEDGE TO BRITAIN. SUPPORT FOR THE NAVY. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Dec. 11. The Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent says it is reported that Sir Samuel Iloare made an inquiry as to whether Turkey, Yugoslavia, Greece anil Rumania would support the British Navy in the event of an Italian attack, before he met M. Laval in Paris on December 7. It is understood that within 48 hours all four Governments affirmatively answered the British request, and pledged their support. It Is stated that the necessary arrangements will sbol’tly be negotiated by the general staffs concerned. A similar request was also made to Spain, hut the result is not yet known. Official quarters in London disclaim knowledge of a movement for a special meeting of the League Council to discuss mutual defence. A Geneva message says that Turkey, Yugoslavia, Greece and Spain are inquiring whether support of the British Navy applies in the acid test of the collective system.