NEAR EAST DEVELOPMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 6

NEAR EAST DEVELOPMENTS

Italy’s reported anxiety regarding the increase in the British and French military strength in the Mediterranean area is a new factor in the war situation which has come as a surprise to most people. It need not cause undue difficulty if Italy is willing to face the realities of the situation and does not attempt to gain any advantage for Germany. It should not be impossible for the Allies to demonstrate beyond doubt that any concentration of force in the Mediterranean countries does not constitute a menace to an Italy which is neutral and entertains no aggressive intentions. It appears to be largely a matter of establishing complete understanding of the facts. Certainly relations with Italy were improved in recent times on an understanding that Britain and France would maintain something like the status quo in the Mediterranean, and exchange information. Now the war has made it imperative that the Allies for their r.wn protection must dispose their forces to the best advantaje. If that disposal creates in the minds of the Italian people a sense of insecurity and threat to their national safety it must be due to a lack of understanding. There definitely is no intention to impinge on the national rights of Italy, but there is just as definitely a need to counter the action of an enemy who would take advantage of the understanding between Italy and the Allies to deal an unfair and perhaps lethal blow at the Allied position. Now is the time for frank discussions between Italy and the Allies, and the position seems to be wide open for an amicable arrangement. Italy desires to avoid war, and it is probably only the fear that the shifting of the storm centre to the Near East will embroil her that is now disturbing the official mind. It should not be impossible for Itaiy to realise that the presence of Allied strength in the Near East is most likely to hold back the Russian and German invasion which would otherwise certainly call for Italian intervention. Russia is even now accusing Italy of attempting to drag the Balkans into the conflict. Italy is inevitably faced with the choice of allowing Russia to descend upon her borders or permitting the Allies themselves to check the aggression without the imposition of unfair restrictions upon their movements.