NEUTRAL ITALY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20039, 11 September 1939, Page 9

NEUTRAL ITALY

DELICATE SITUATION PROBLEM IN BALKANS NON-AGG RESSION MOVES ACTIVITIES IN ROME (Eire. Tci. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 11, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 9. Italy is feverishly endeavouring to strengthen her position in the Balkans and organise a strong Balkan neutrality blbc, states the Rome correspondent of the New York Times.

Italian neutrality has enabled the Balkans and Hungary to stay out of the war. but if one enters all are forced in, including Italy. The balance is delicate and difficult to maintain and it will be more difficult if Poland is conquered quickly. Therefore Italy is working fast. The chief difficulty is obviously to persuade Britain and France, to agree to Balkan neutrality, not only to protect Germany’s flank, but to make available to Germany an enormous source of food and raw materials, which must be partly diverted before the Allies accept a neutrality plan. Rumania recently offered Hungary a non-aggression pact, which was turned down, but was offered again as the result of Italian intervention. It has not yet been refused, only Rumania and Yugo-Slavia have formally declared their neutrality.

The Rumanian public is pro-French and anti-German but the position is most vulnerable and there Is reason to believe that the Pope favours a neutrality bloc. Attitude of Vatican The Holy See’s relations with Italy have rarely been friendlier as the result of Italy keeping out of the war, but the maintenance ot Italian neutrality is delicate. Britain, France or Germany could force her participation overnight. Therefore she must be most careful to satisfy all.

The Rome correspondent of the New York Times says further that Italy, through inspired articles in the press, re-affirms her determination to remain neutral indefinitely.

This emphasis means that Germany’s exhibition of military strength has not induced Italy to throw in her lot. Therefore, until there is another phase of the war calling for a decision, Italy will continue a.s of present. That moment may be very soon. The people are showing a win to peace in all circumstances. There has been no mention of the RonfeBerlin Axis since hostilities started. Italians, who are accustomed to daily mention of it. are wondering _ why. A public explanation might bring an avalanche on Italy.

The Duec is silent because the situation is such that he cannot burn either of the two bridges connecting with Berlin and with England and France.