GRAVE POSITION in Mediterranean

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 105, 20 May 1937, Page 5

GRAVE POSITION in Mediterranean

Prees Ann.-

MR. EDEN'S SURVEY Italy's Menace To The Empire GREATER THAN GERMAN

(Bf Telegraph—

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(Received 20, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 19. The most vital discussions at the Imperial Conference hegan this aftemoon, when Mr. Anthony Eden, not attempting to gloss over any phase of the International situation, surveyed, on behalf of the British Government, the grave dangers threatening Europe from Germany and Italy. The Australian Associated Press political correspondent understands that Mr. Eden, in confining his survey entirely to Europe, did not hesitate to reveal the inner facts of the situation. Italy and Germany are presenting their case, which is expected to profoundly affect the conference 's defence discussions commencing next week. Mr. Stanley Baldwin, who briefly followed, amplified what Mr. Eden said, whereupon the discussion was adjourned to enable the Dominions' dclegates to consider the situation before resumption on Friday, when they will express their views on Europe. Mr. Eden will then resume his survey, dealing with the Far East, and America. It is gathered that the feature of today 's survey was the seriousness of the situation in the Mediterranean, Mr. Eden's views on which considerably impressed the dolegates. Many well-w-formed circles here feel that Italy 's is even a greater menace to the Empire than Germany, and that Signor Mussolini thinks Britain is primarily building up armaments in readiness to reassume mastery of the Mediterranean. Accordingly, he has prepared enOraious armod forces. * Britain' s attitude to Europe, with which Mr Eden is dealing, is, first, adlierence to the League ; second, commitments in Western Europe (integrity of France, Belgium and Holland); third, interest in but unpledged to Central Europe. The British attitude is that she cannot be indifferent to Central Europe, but to refrain from ull commitments, simultaneously keeping Herr Hitler guessing. The general European ^ tension remains such that an incident arxy where on the Continent, ^ regardless of whether or not Britain is committed, might easily implicate Britain and the rest of Europe.