THE MEDITERRANEAN

Evening Star, Issue 22451, 23 September 1936, Page 9

THE MEDITERRANEAN

VITAL EMPIRE HIGHWAY STATEMENT BY SIR SAMUEL HOARE Association —By Telegraph Copyright LONDON', September 22. (Received September 23, at 10 a.m.) In a statement to the Press on his return from the Mediterranean, Sir Samuel Hoare said: “Far from scuttling from Malta and abdicating our position in the Mediterranean, we intend to face the new and difficult problems and make the position secure, as it is a vital Empire highway. It is not a threat against anyone. The Italian Press is urging us to clarify the position. It is exactly as it always has been. We wish to live in friendly relationship with others and be secure in our communications.” NAVAL MOVEMENTS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 22. (Received September 23, at noon.) It is announced that certain ships in the Mediterranean fleet will carry out a short cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Queen Elizabeth (the flagship of the commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean), the Repulse, and the Glorius will leave Malta on September 30 and be accompanied to sea by the Galatea (the flagship of the rearadmiral), and the first destroyer flotilla. The Galatea and the destroyers will return to Malta after the exercises have been carried out. The Bryony will leave Malta on October 4 to join the commander-in-chief. THE AIR PROBLEM RUGBY, September 22. (Received September 23, at noon.) Sir Samuel Hoare, speaking on Mediterranean problems, said: “'We hope in future that we shall have the best possible relations with all the Mediterranean Powers, including Italy, but that does not absolve us from making own communications as safe as we possibly can. The air problem obviously has made a difference, not such as to revolutionise our policy, but enough to cause us to adapt ourselves to the new conditions. We have to make the fullest possible use of our own power.” Regarding Cyprus, Sir Samuel Hoare said: “ I have always felt that we have not given half enough attention to Cyprus. The military future of Cyprus is still being considered, but I am quite sure that Cyprus should have a better harbour for the general development .qf the island.”