BRITISH PROBLEMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 94, 17 October 1940, Page 12

BRITISH PROBLEMS

MR. EDEN'S TOUR

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

; ITALIAN FACTOR

/By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received. October 17, 2.10 p.m.) LONDON, October 16. The "Daily Telegraph" says: "The announcement of Mr. Eden's arrival in Egypt for conferences with General Sir Archibald Wavell and Sir Harold Mac Michael, Comman-der-in-Chief in Palestine, ..demonstrates the importance that Britain attaches to early developments in the Mediterranean. It was never Britain's intention to stand on the defensive indefinitely in the Mediterranean, although the defection of France obviously created a new balance of forces which called for a period of regrouping.

"Mr. Eden will be more immediately concerned with the Italian factor. He will have opportunities in Cairo of thrashing out many problems and of getting first-hand information. He will also visit British and Allied contingents in the Middle East."

Meanwhile, the Government is urgently considering a whole series of European problems which have arisen since the Axis Powers began moving their troops eastwards. It was anticipated that after the occupation of Rumania Germany would consolidate before pressing on with the Axis plan of extending control over the whole of the Balkans, but as far as can be learned in London the pressure which has been increased against Greece is primarily aimed at inducing abandonment of the British guarantee. Greece SO far has done nothing to comply with the Axis demands; on the contrary, she has given proof that she counts on the fullest support of which Britain is capable. It has long been understood that the pact of non-aggression between Greece and Turkey has also secret military provisions of mutual assistance. _