INSULT TO ITALY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 153, 2 December 1938, Page 12

INSULT TO ITALY

OCCUPATION OF TUNIS

FEELING AGAINST FRANCE

DEMONSTRATIONS IN

ROME

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.)

(Received December 2, 2 p.m.)

ROME, December 1.

During a speech by the Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, in the Chamber of Deputies he declared Italy's intention to safeguard the interests and aspirations of Italians. This resulted in anti-French demon" strations and cries of "Tunisia."

The demonstrations continued outside Parliament:, a crowd shouting "Duce, Tunis, Corsica."

The "Daily Telegraph" reveals that during the September crisis plans were contemplated for putting pressure on Libya from Tunisia in order to relieve possible Italian pressure on Egypt. This is not overlooked by the authorities in Rome, who desire to avert a repetition.

(Received December 2, 2 p.m.)

LONDON, December 1. The Rome correspondent of "Th» Times" points out that the demonstrations in the Italian Chamber have attracted attention in France, not because the claims are taken seriously, although it is realised that Italian grievances in Tunisia must be considered, but because of the conviction that Italy and Germany are engaged at present in a carefully planned at- - tempt to weaken Anglo-French soli- • darity. Evidence of this, the correspondent states, is seen in further German attacks on,.< Britain when Herf yon Ribbentrop is preparing to go to France, and in the new Italian outburst against France when Mr. Chamberlain is preparing to leave for Rome.

"La Tribuna" declares that the French occupation of Tunis in 1881 was a grave insult and is always remembered by Italians. It adds that in order to "be friends with Italy it is necessary for France to repair tbft insult.