LEAKAGE IN FOREIGN OFFICE

Chronicle (Levin), 4 November 1949, Page 5

LEAKAGE IN FOREIGN OFFICE

(N.Z.P.A.-

—Reuter

Embarrassing Article In U.S. Journal

Outspoken Letter By Mr. Bevin Quoted

. Capyright)

Received Friday, 9.50 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 3. An article in the American magazine News of the Week entitled "Spanking By Ernie" has embarrassed the British Foreign Office, says Reuter's diplomatic correspondent. Quoting an outspoken memorandum by the Foreign Minister, Mr. Ernest Bevin, criticising Italy for her recent antiBritish Press campaigns, the article showed a leakage in Foreign OfRce security

It is expected that British ofRcials in Washington will mvestigate the leak from a security angle.

. According to the article, Mr. I ~ vin, writing with "typical bluntprepared the memorandum for the private guidance of Foreign Office officials. The magazine quoted Mr. Bevin as saying in. the memorandum: "I find it incredible that responsible Italian statesmen should fchrow bricks at us in this way. I 'do- not see what they can expect to gain by screaming at us. "It is regrettable that at a time when we are trying hard to resist outside threats one member of the democratic world should launch a false and artificial campaign against another. I am constantly hearing about Italian grievances from third parties, but never from Count Sforza himself. I have had several free and frank tallcs with Count Sforza recently and he certainly is not as provoked as the Italian Foreign Office wants us to believe." Mr. Bevin continu-ed: "I will not have my policy changed by Press campaigns and similar tactics. I wish the Italians woul'd understand that as a Government v-p are not playing a double game, but are trying our best to be straight forward and honest with other Powers. "I do not expect Italy's attitude towards us to improve until the

; colonial question is out of the ! way, but I do expect Italian ; statesmen to keep out of Press I campaigns." A Foreign Office spokesman said today that the anti-British Press campaign in Italy "has not affected and will not affect our policy of pursuing good relations with Italy." The publication of the News of the Week article brought comment today from two major Rome daily newspapers. ' 'The independent II Tempo, in 'an editorial, said: "British policies were often turned against us. It is a long and painful series of events covering the pasfc four years." The" independent Giornale d'ltalia said: "Maybe Mr. Bevin : considers a proof of British friend1 ship the intention to take over j the Italian colonies conquered by the money and labour of Italians, , the discarding of Italy from the ' delicate network of Brussels, the attempt to prevent our entry into the Atlantic Pact, the deliberate exclusion of Italy's northern frontier from the western defensive line and the 'cheating' of the pound sterling. Italy has tried to i defend itself from this sort of friendship. For Ernie friendship is a synonym of slavery."