CAREFUL STUDY IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 156, 28 March 1939, Page 9

CAREFUL STUDY IN LONDON

Little In Speech Seen As Aggressive

ITALY’S NEEDS WELL UNDERSTOOD

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 26. Signor Mussolini’s speech in Rome is being studied carefully in London, and meanwhile considered comment is being withheld. On a preliminary reading of the speech the first impression in authoritative quarters is that its terms do not belie the general expecta-. tiotis formed after the recent utterance by the King of Italy, and it does not appear to introduce any new and unfavourable factor into the disturbed European situation.

It was expected that the speech would be characterized by the customary vigour and pugnacity, and it does not lack these qualities, but the view is taken that, in its substance, there is little in the speech that can be described as unduly aggressive. Loyalty To The Axis. The loyalty to the Rome-Berlin axis which is expressed has not prevented the Duce from laying special emphasis upon the particular needs of Italy, and these passages are receiving special attention.

Signor Mussolini’s insistence on the necessity for Europe enjoying a long period of peace will be warmly endorsed in London, and in this connexion careful study is being given _to the references in the speech to Italian aspirations, for it is felt in London that there is still time for Italy and France to negotiate for a settlement of their differences.

Nothing in the speech seems calculated to check such development. Threatening language has been avoided, and, in its restatement of Italian claims, the speech does not go beyond what is familiar ground. Regarding its insistence on Italy’s vital needs in the Mediterranean and the Adratic, Signor Mussolini’s views are well understood and cause no concern in London.