ITALY IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 64, 9 December 1926, Page 9

ITALY IN THE BALKANS

THE TREATY WITH ALBANIA CAUSING ANXIETY IN JUGOSLAVIA RESIGNATION OF FOREIGN MINISTER The Foreign Minister of Jugo-Slavia has resigned, as a result, it is believed, of his disapproval of the Cabinet's policy in relation to the Italo-Albania Treaty, which is causing considerable uneasiness. by Telegraph.—Press association, copyright. Belgrade. December 7. The Jugo-Slavian Foreign Minister, M. Nintchitch, is resigning. He wrote to the Premier stating that facts had arisen to shake, the convictions on which his policy was based. (Rec. December 8. 7.15 p.m.) Geneva, December 7. Diplomatic circles are agog over the League President, Mr. Nintchitch’s, resignation from the Foreign Ministry of Jugo-Slavia, supposedly because he disapproves of the Cabinet’s policy, in relation to the new Italo-Albanian Treaty. The Jugo-Slav Ministry lias now resigned. M. Nintchitch’s view is believed to be based on the conviction that Italy has virtually achieved a protectorate over Albania, in connection with which a German diplomat recently asserted that Britain bad previously frustrated Ttalv’s attempt to claim and exercise the' right to interfere in Albanian internal affairs. Some diplomats, declare that Ttalv has gained her object in such a manner that Jugo-Slavia cannot appeal to the League. The Belgrade newspaper "Politika’ sayS the treaty contains a secret military convention and Italian naval privileges in Albania. PRIVILEGES GAINED BY ITALY (Rec. December 8, 7.55 p.m.) London, December 8. The "Morning Post’s” diplomatic correspondent says that Jugo-Slavia has watched with increasing anxiety the privileges which Italy recently has been gaining in Albania, including concessions for road-making, exploiting oil, and a large measure of bank . control. The new treaty is almost .certain to result in Jugo-Slavia seeking a strong point d’appui elsewhere, notably in the direction of France. Other political writers arc of opinion that France is unlikely to sit quietly bv while Jugo-Slavia is humbled and Ttalv established firmly in the Balkans.