FRANCE & ITALY

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20691, 29 December 1938, Page 7

FRANCE & ITALY

MASSING OF TROOPS ANTI-FRENCH PROPAGANDA MR CHAMBERLAIN CRITICISED .United Press Assn.—mec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 28 Two well-known political writers, •• Pertinax,” in L’Odre, and Madame Tabouis, in L'Ueuvre, report a heavy massing ol' Italian troops on the frontier of French Somaliland, says a message from Paris. Madame Tabouis does not take this seriously. She says the Italians must cross 200 miles of desert before attacking French territory.However, “ Pertinax ” says the concentration is accompanied by intensified anti-French propaganda from Fascist radio stations in Abyssinia. Recalling that Mr Chamberlain and Viscount Halifax are likely to see M. Daladier and M. Bonnet on their way to Rome, "Pertinax” adds: “ Mr Chamberlain flatters himself that he can act as mediator between Italy and France, but a more realistic view makes him appear a dangerous agitator in spite of his excellent intentions.” Loyalty to France The correspondent of the Times at Aden says demonstration of loyalty to France in Jibouti continue. Eight thousand Arabs, Somalis, Indians and Jews marched to Government House carrying banners inscribed : " We do not want to suffer the same fate as Ethiopia. We want to live. Jibouti must remain French.” All roads leading to the Italian Consulate have been closed against natives. SENGALESE TROOPS FOR TUNIS WHAT ITALY WANTS FRENCH MINISTER TO TOUR (United Press Assn.—Elee. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 29, noon) LONDON, Dec. 28 The Paris correspondent of the Central News states that a Sengalese battalion, forming .part of France’s famous mobile force of 75,000 colonial troops, is proceeding to Djibouti from Marseilles to-day, following an appeal from General Deschamps, Somaliland Governor. ROME, Dec. 28 Signor Gayda says that Italy does not want Tunis but has the right to interfere to protect nationals and maintain the status quo. It opposes increased French control in Tunis, which is not French territory. PARIS, Dec. 28 M. Daladier told a deputation of Algerian Parliamentarians that he plans a one-dav visit to Algiers on January 6, to review the troops and confer with, military chiefs. He hopes later in the year to visit Morocco and to tour Algeria extensively. M. DALADIER’S TOUR NAVAL CONVOY REDUCED EFFORT TO AVOID OFFENCE (.United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright; PARIS, Dec. 28 M. Daladier has decided to cut down drastically the naval convoy for his coming visit to Corsica and Tunisia in order to avoid giving the impression of a demonstration which the Italian press had labelled "provocation.” Consequently, instead of 23 warships accompanying him there will be only the light cruiser Emile Bertin and a destroyer division. M. Daladier will travel in the 10,-000-ton cruiser Foch.