PEACEFUL COLLABORATION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20785, 21 April 1939, Page 7

PEACEFUL COLLABORATION

SPEECH BY SIGNOR MUSSOLINI THE AIMS OF ITALY AND GERMANY MR ROOSEVELTS RECIPROCAL GUARANTEE ABSURD (United Prem Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received April 21, 11.30 a.m.) ROME, April 20 Sigryor Mussolini, in a speech delivered to members of the organising committee of the 1942 Exhibition, declared: “This meeting marks the beginning of a great mobilisation. I hope the hystericals abroad will not be frightened. If is the civil mobilisation of workmen. If we wished to light a fuse or plan threats of aggression we would not dedicate ourselves to the gigantic work of organising this exhibition, the buildings of which have the proportions of St. Peter’s and the Colliseum. “Whether or not a reply is sent to Mr Roosevelt’s famous message I reaffirm that Italy and Germany have given many proofs that their policy is inspired by peaceful collaboration. It is time to silence the desseminators of panic, the prophets of catastrophe, and the professional fatalists, who often cover their insane hatreds and unconfessable fears with a large flag. “We will not allow ourselves to be impressed by press campaigns, gossip, or Messianic messages. A ten years’ reciprocal guarantee, as suggested by Mr Roosevelt, is as absurd as the horrible geographical pyramid constructed by certain individuals with a rudimentary knowledge of European affairs. r “We have a clear conscience and the men and means to defend ourselves. The Exhibition will be dominated by a gigantic arch symbolising the human will strained in an effort to realise peace on a lasting, uncollapsible basis of justice.”

THE AXIS POWERS

BROKEN PLEDGES VISCOUNT HALIFAX'S REGRET FREEDOM OF THE DOMINIONS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, April 19 Viscount Halifax, replying to the foreign affairs debate in the House of Lords, said it was a tragedy that dis- ■ satisfied countries rejected the principles by which international society was intended to be governed. “There is now* no accepted currency in terms of international intercourse," said the Minister. “Ideas of justice, respect for treaties and the value of pledges are differently interpreted in the interests of national ambition, and claims are held to be identical with rights.” Referring to the Dominions, Lord iax said: “It is precisely because we applied our principles of freedom to the various nations in the British Commonwealth that the Commonwealth is to give throughout the Empire the freest play possible to the interests of the individual territories and their aspirations for self-govern-ment.” SOVIET CONFERENCE ATTITUDE TO DICTATORSHIPS ASSISTANCE TO POLAND (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, April 20 The 'Soviet Ambassadors to Paris and Berlin, MM. Souritz and Merekoloff, passed through Warsaw 7 yesterday en route for Moscow 7 to attend a conference with the Foreign Minister, M. Litvinoff,' at which M. Maisky, Soviet Ambassador to Britain, will also be present. It is understood Russia's attitude to the part being played by the western Powers against the dictatorships will be discussed. The Paris correspondent of the Daily express say s the French Foreign Minister. M. Bonnet, told the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber that negotiations in progress with Russia include the possibility of the Soviet sending not only warplanes, but in certain cases troops for the assistance of Poland and Rumania. It is reliably reported from Warsaw that Poland is extending aid in armaments and military co-operation to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, but is not guaranteeing the Baltic States, thus not endangering their neutrality. DEFENCE OF GIBRALTAR TROOPS DELAY DEPARTURE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON. April 19 It is officially announced that the troop ship Somerset, in which tlie First Argyll Highlanders and the First Welsh Regiment are proceeding to Palestine, is delaying her departure from Gibraltar, pending the arrival of the First Welsh Guards. NO APPEAL TO JAPAN DENIAL BY UNITED STATES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON', April 20 White House officials deny Tokio press reports that President Roosexelt is contemplating making an appeal to the Japanese Government similar to that made to Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini. They say the reports have no foundation in fact.

NOT IN THE DOCK REFUSAL, OF CONFERENCE OT» (United Press Assn.—Elec. TcL Copyrtr&t) LONDON, April 20 Replying to President Roosevelt's message. Signor Mussolini, in a broadcast speech in connection with the 1942 exhibition, said: “It is absurd to place the Axis Powers in the dock. We reply to the message that Italy and Germany are working for peace.” He went on to condemn the hysteria in “certain transalpine countries." Signor Mussolini added: “The United States would limit itself to its customary role of distant spectator at any conference. Experience has given us bitter lessons. The greater the number of persons taking part in a conference, the more certain is its failure. “The attempt to suggest that the Axis wants war Is absolutely unjustified. We want to get on with our work. Our policy is peace and collaboration.” BETTER TONE CREATED EFFECT ON STOCK MARKET MORE CONTINENTAL ACTIVITY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received April 21, i p.m.) LONDON, April 20 Signor Mussolini’s speech has caused a better tone on the stock markets. Continental operators are re-entering as buyers. The announcement that Sir Nevile Henderson, British Ambassador, is re--1 turning to Berlin has also created a A- firmer sentiment. Gilt-edged securiV ties are fractionally better. THE GERMAN FLEET MYBTERY OF WHEREABOUTS DOING NORMAL EXERCISES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received April 21, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 20 The Admiralty has no news of the whereabouts of the German Fleet. Naval officials attach no importance to the lack of news. It is believed the fleet is carrying out normal exercises. The Dutch air liner, on arrival at Croydon, reported that it saw' part of the German fleet in the North Sea. the vessels sighted TWO PASSING DOVER (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received April 21. ! p.m.) LONDON, April 20 Further reports of the sighting of the German warships have been received. Two were seen passing Dover in a southerly direction. A steamer sighted a number of ships proceeding to Spanish waters.