ITALY’S PLANS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 186, 3 May 1940, Page 9

ITALY’S PLANS

Reported Assurance By Mussolini NO SUDDEN CHANGE IN POSITION Reference By Nazi Deputy Leader' By Telegraph—Press Assu.—Copyright. LONDON, May 1. Signor Mussolini is reported to have assured the United States Ambassador at a personal interview in Rome today that there would be no sudden change in Italy’s position. In a speech in Berlin Herr Hess, Deputy-Leader of the Nazi Party, said that Italy believed the time had not yet come to speak of outstanding differences.between her and the Western Powers. For the moment Germany was a sufficient opponent for the democracies. The Italian Press concentrates on rejoicing over alleged great German successes in. Norway. The liner Rex sailed for New York,, and others left according to scheduleAn official gazette announces the appointment of a committee to ensure the rapid and orderly transition of Italian telephone and telegraph communications to a war footing. The news of the diversion of British shipping from the Mediterranean was released to Italians this afternoon, when the Ministry of Propaganda circulated the British Foreign Office communique.

For the past three days news bulletins in Italian from London have been jammed.

French Apprehension. A French Foreign Office spokesman stated that the Italian attitude toward the Allies in the last two days has become definitely alarming and that future relations are uneasy. He added that the apprehension is based on the general attitude of the Italian Government and diplomatic circles rather than on specific facts. The British Government’s precautionary measures for the Mediterranean have been followed by defensive precautions throughout Egypt. An indication of the tension is shown in the fact that war risks for shipping to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea have advanced sharply in London. In some cases they have been quadrupled, and in many doubled. The full nature of the Britsih precautions has not been officially announced. As France is one of the countries using the Mediterranean, the question is being asked whether France has taken similar measures. There is nothing known officially, but a Paris newspaper, in reference to the British precautions, leads its readers to infer that France has done likewise. It was not till this afternoon that the Italian newspapers were allowed to publish the British decision, and as yet there is no official or Press comment except one reference which alleges that British contraband control in the Mediterranean is being exercised with capricious hatefulness and demands that the intruders should be thrown out of the Mediterranean. Talk with British Official. Today the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, asked the British Charge d’Affaires to call on him. The ,talk was afterward described as “informative.” No oflicial light has been thrown on the meeting between the United States Ambassador and Signor Mussolini, but it is reported in Rome that the United States Minister called ou the Dues to ask for information, about Italy’s intentions. Two news agencies report that it is believed that he was assured that no move was contemplated by Italy for the present. It js thought significant that the liner Rex sailed from Naples today for New York according to schedule. It is being argued that if Italy intended to drop non-belligerency in a few days the Rex would have been kept at home.

There was a meeting of the Italian Cabinet this morning. Apparently international matters were considered. Afterward it was announced that there was to be a new tax on profits made out of the war. Official circles in London, referring to the British measures, emphasize that the British Government must provide against every situation, however remote it may be. Last August the Admiralty closed the Mediterranean to British merchant shipping just before war broke out. The Italian attitude then appeared to be doubtful, but the order was withdrawn soon afterward

BRITISH NEWSPAPER COMMENT

Italy Nothing To Gain By Entering War LONDON, May 2. Following yesterday’s meeting in Rome between the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, and the British Charge d’Affaires, and between the American Ambassador, Mr. Phillips, and Signor -Mussolini, Mr. Phillips tills morning saw Count Ciano. Several British newspapers discuss the Italian situation today, and two of them, the “Manchester Guardian” and the “Glasgow Herald,” have the same heading on their leading articles, namely, “Italy on the Brink.” The newspapers agree that the remarkable language used recently, both by the Italian Press and Italian politicians, cannot be regarded as anything else but threatening, but they are loath to believe that Signor Mussolini can take the final plunge into war. The “Manchester Guardian” asks: “What will Signor Mussolini gain for Italy by the acceptance of the Nazi principle of violence? What will her pride and independence be worth?”

The “News Chronicle” makes the same point. If Herr Hitler won the war, it says, Italy would bo completely at the mercy of the Nazis. If Signor Mussolini led Italy into war with Britain and France it would be the worst day for Italy, the paper adds.

BLACKOUT ORDERED IN MALTA

i Received May 2, 9.50 p.m.)

.MALTA. May 2. A biuekout has been ordered and will ■begin tonight.