NOTE TO FRANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 124, 28 May 1942, Page 7

NOTE TO FRANCE

MOVE BY ITALIANS

Pressure For Concessions In

Tunisia?

United Press Association.—Copvright. Kcc. 11 a.m. LONDON, May 27. Daily Express correspondent th P. I' rcnch frontier says that Mussolini s demands on France were contained in a second Note. The Daily Telegraph says the Italians itij> be pressing for concessions in lunisia, firstly of an administrative character, whereby the Axis hopes ■ the thin edge of the wedge without provoking immediate American reaction. tv,i, r> a P^ r adds that the reports that Italy has demanded the immediate cession of Nice and Corsica must be taken with great reserve. Likewise, reports that Mussolini has massed 300,000 troops on the French frontier. In earlier messages it was stated that .500.000 Italian troops are expected to move against Nice and Corsica at any moment, following reports that Vichy will reject Italian demands for their cession, says the Daily Mail. Laval is reported to he agreeable to negotiate only on Tunisia. Laval reported to Petain yesterday on the result of his latest visit to Paris, and then summoned Admiral Auphand, who is the Vichy Secretary of State for the Navy, and the Resident General of Tunis, Admiral Esteva, for a conference. The diplomatic correspondent of The Times at Tunis says the impression in the Mediterranean region is that the Axis is preparing outstanding military and naval efforts there. The Turks are watchful. the Spaniards expectant, the Portuguese anxious, and the British Navy is on the alert. Some of the evidence, however, is of doubtful value.