OVER FRONTIER

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20690, 28 December 1938, Page 5

OVER FRONTIER

ITALIAN TROOPS IN FRENCH TERRITORY ACTIVITY IN AFRICA (United Press Assn.—Elec Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 28, 11 a.m.) PARIS, Dec. 27 Abyssinian radio messages, according to Pertinax, assert that about 500 Italian soldiers have been installed in French territory twenty miles over the frontier, sixty miles from Djibouti. Italy has 91,000 soldiers in East Africa, also 130,000 white workers and 150,000 natives organised for military, purposes. Italians also are reported to be hastily building military roads to the French frontier. THE CLAIMS OF ITALY SUPPORT FROM GERMANY FRANCE MUST SURRENDER (United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 2G Italy’s claims .to Tunisia and Jibouti are still given prominence in the Italian press, says the Rome correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. The newspapers allege that Germany supports Rome, and that Britain refuses to support France in her refusal to cede territory. It is stated that France must eventually surrender to the force of circumstances. BERLIN, Dec. 27 General Goering is going to Rome during Air Chamberlain’s visit.

A DANGEROUS EUROPE

GREAT MENACE TO FRANCE DEMANDS BY THE DICTATORS (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) PARIS, Dec. 27 M. Blum, at the Socialist Congress, in proposing a motion urging no more concessions to the totalitarian States, and committing the Socialist Party fully and without reserve to national defence against aggression threatening the integrity of its territory, said he was not influenced by anti-Jewish violence in Germany. The Socialist Party in the past had even denied the idea of national defence. Now everything must be done to' avoid being faced with tlie alternative of submission or war. The League of Nations had. neither the force nor the authority necessary for imposing peace. “We are faced to-day by a dangerous Europe,” he added. “The only question is the means to avoid war, and it is impossible to adopt an attitude of indifferent onlookers. “Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini have divided the world between them,” continued M. Blum. “The Italian dictator is allotted the Mediterranean and North Africa in exchange for abandoning the historical and traditional Italian positions in Central Europe.

Increase of War Power “Do not forget that Signor Mussolini has received nothing yet. Italy has voiced claims to Tunisia. If I thought that giving her certain satisfactions in that connection would result In disarmament. I would not hesitate. However, what l am prepared to do for peace I am not prepared to do when I am certain that such a policy would only increase a war ‘Power which can turn against us. • “France is menaced and can no longer be certain of assuring her defence alone. Collective security as advocated by the League of Nations no longer exists. The only solution left is pacts or mutual assistance.” M. Blum laid stress on the necessity for close collaboration between Britain and France.

Motion Carried The Congress adopted M. Blum’s motion with 4322 votes, M. Faure’s counter-motion receiving 2837 votes. M. DALADIER’S VISIT A WARLIKE DEMONSTRATION ITALY WATCHING CLOSELY Untied Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Dec. 27 As M. Dawdler’s ship cruises past Sardinia and Sicily ho will have an ; escort of three new lO,UOu-ton eruis- I ers and the Fifth. Seventh and Ninth Destroyer Divisions. Italy is watching M. Daladier’s programme most closely, says the Rome correspondent of the Daily Mail. Signor Mussolini is concentrating naval forces as a reply to M. Daladier’s display. Signor Gayda, ll Duce’s press spokesman, says it is evident that France intends to make a warlike