ALLIES BLAMED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20123, 18 December 1939, Page 11

ALLIES BLAMED

EUROPEAN HOSTILITIES GERMAN ENCIRCLEMENT VIEWPOINT OF ITALY NAZI-MOSCOW PACT (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 18, 9 a.m.) ROME, Dec. 16. The galleries of the Fascist Chamber -were packed when the Foreign Minister, Count Ciano delivered a speech on international affairs. Signor Mussolini was present. Count Ciano said that it was Italy’s duty to assure her own security and independence. He declared that Italy’s realistic attitude prevented the widening of the European conflict. He defended the Abyssinian campaign and Italy’s action in the Spanish war. Referring to the anti-comintern pact, Count Ciano claimed that Signor Mussolini was the first to fight Bolshevism. Re-affirming the solidarity of the Berlin-Rome Axis, Count Ciano said it was the encirclement of Germany and not the Polish .Corridor or Danzig which led to the war. Moreover, the British and French Governments had designs on the Mediterranean which conflicted with Italian 'interests. • He paid a tribute to the bravery, of the Poles and declared that the British and French guarantee was responsible for their attitude to Gern any. Italian Precautions On August 21, said Count Ciano, he received a message from the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop saying that he was going to Moscow to sign a pact with Russia. The situation towards the end of August became graver. Italy did not omit to take precautions for her national safety. On August 31. she decided on a pacific attitude. Her intention not to fight was known to the German Government and to no other, and was the reason for the telegram from the Reich stating that Germany had not thought it necessary to ask Italy for assistance. The purpose of Germany’s agreement with Moscow was to ensure that Russia would keep out of tiie encirclen ent and remain neutral. If the democracies had ignored Moscow, Germany would have found a way to dr likewise.

“Italy continues to follow the developments and is ever ready, if nossible, to give again a contribution tc wards world peace. She is equally determined to protect her interests on land and sea and her future as a great Power,” said Count Ciano. He re-affirmed Italy's desire to see peace and friendship in the Balkans but not through a bloc.