The Dominion THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1940. “A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE”

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 185, 2 May 1940, Page 8

The Dominion THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1940. “A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE”

There will be considerable speculation concerning the background of the British Government’s decision to divert shipping from the Mediterranean. It is stated that this move has been dictated by the hostile character of recent statements by responsible Italians and the Italian State-controlled Press. Other considerations which may have weighed in a decision that is bound to create a profound impression in Fascist Government circles is the unusually early period of the Italian naval exercises; the present marked indications of military activities within Italy and consequent uneasiness in the adjoining State ot Yugoslavia; and, going further back, the conference between Signbr Mussolini and Herr Hitler in the Brenner Pass; and, finally, the military alliance with Germany. , Italy’s declaration of non-belligerency at the outbreak of the war was officially stated To be due to the desire of the Italian Government to limit the area of the conflict. But this attitude was subject to two important reservations, namely, that any development in the Danubian Basin or in the Balkans, constituting, in the Fascist Government s opinion, a threat to Italian interests, or serious interference with the rights and prestige of Italy’s maritime commerce in the Mediterranean could not be disregarded, and might involve a change of policy. Tus attitude of qualified neutrality—strictly speaking, of. qualified, nonbelligerency—has rendered the prospect of Italian participation in the war an open question. Allied policy thus far has been to avoid friction as far as possible without sacrifice of belligerent rights in regard to < the control of contraband, and at the same time to offer trading facilities to Italy which would compensate very largely, if not fully, for any loss or inconvenience sustained by the interruption of free commerce with Germany. The possibility that this propitiatory attitude on the part ot the Allies might be regarded by Italy as a sign of weakness or nervousness has not been overlooked. If, as stated, the decision to withdraw British shipping from the Mediterranean is due to the present display of hostile feeling in the Italian Press and the veiled threats of Italian spokesmen as to what is likely to happen in the future,, this action may be more than a mere counter-gesture. Quite likely it is intended as a hint to Italy that while the Allies would welcome a better understanding and friendly relations with her, they’have no intention of relaxing their vigilance, and are fully prepared for all eventualities, including an Italian stroke in the Danube or the Balkans. This outburst of hostility may be nothing more than a piece of calculated bluffing to create uneasiness among the Allies and cause them to divert part of their attention from the Norwegian campaign, and possibly, also to support pressure for further concessions from them. On the other hand, it may be the prelude for a much more serious development. There has been no indication from responsible quarters in Italy of anv intention of repudiating the military obligations entered into with Germany if called upon to meet them. On the contrary, the Fascist Grand Council in December last issued a statement announcing that “in view of tendentious reports of foreign origin the Grand Council declares that the relations between Italy and Germany remain those which were established by the Pact of Alliance. When war broke out Herr Hitler, in a personal message to Signor Mussolini thanking him for his “diplomatic and political aid, assured him that he would have “no need of military aid from Italy.” It may be that he feels the need of it now, and that at the recent conference in the Brenner Pass he sought an assurance that this would be forthcoming if required. In the meantime, the public has been warned not to attach exaggerated importance to the announcement i of the diversion of British shipping from the Mediterranean. Whatever may be the background of the situation, however, it is reassuring to note that the Allies are leaving nothing to chance.