ITALY AND GREECE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1923, Page 3

ITALY AND GREECE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. THE LEAGUE'S ATTITUDE. BEING CLOSELY WATCHED. {Receded this day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, September Thy ‘‘Times’’ Geneva correspondent says that tw o important points emerge from the Greek appeal to the League Council. Firstly--Italy knew that Greece had submitted the dsipute to the League before ordering the. . occupation of Corfu and thus Italy’s action was a direct challenge to the League; secondly -Greece has not demanded the application of the sanctions lo Italy for a breach of the 'League Covenant, under Article 10. Imt lelt it lor the

Council io apply the sanctions if the appeal was sustained. The Council summarily rejected the Italian contention that Inc matter (lid not concern the Council. -Mr Granting declaring that Italy’s claim would establish an intolerable precedent. The Frenchman, M. Lanotaux. significantly remarked that the settlement of the Danzig dispute instanced the League’s pacific usefulness. Tile British were merely of the opinion that the Council was obliged to act, though Lord Robert (ceil later, unofficially, made it clear that the 111 itish delegates would do all in their power to insist on tile question being left in the League’s hands. 'Pile Greek appeal was not osteiiibly adjourned to allow the Italians to p’.esent their papers, hut it was really to give the Council time to communicate to Rome the Council's grave view ol Italy’s action. The Paris correspondent says, a writer in the “Journal Dos Debats” is

probably right when ho says the advice issued to official circles amount to “Rush, do not criticise the Italian Cabinet, wc have friends there who may furnish useful support on the reparations business.’ Semi-official reports from Rome show appreciation of the French attitude. Nevertheless, there is a growing disposition to welcome a solution from file League ol Nations without abating t-e condemnation <>t the abominable murder. A Berlin correspondent says Germany is mainly interested in the crisis for two reasons; firstly, she may learn ivhat sort of justice is to lie expected from the League; secondly, the disturbance of the balance of power in the Sear East may react to Germany's benefit by inducing Franco to reduce ier Ruhr committcnts. But this hope n no way is generally shared. Many ear the liberation of Ruhr by swh a method would prove a Dead Sea limit.

GREEK CONSULS RESIGN. ROME, Sept. 3. All the Greek Consuls in Italy have ndered their resignations.

PERSONAL HONOUR. ROME, Sept. 3. Italy has officially intimated to Greece that the Halo Greek question is not a matter for the League ot Nations as it is not it question of right or interest. Imt personal honor, the prestige of which is not provided fi r in the pact of the League. It is understood that the Italian representatives on the League ol Nations have been instructed to abstain from further discussion of the 1-aio-Grcek dispute. AN ITALIAN VIEW. NO WAIL (“Sydney Sun” Cables). filoceivod this day at 11.-lo a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 3. There will he no war. 'lbis phase, says the “Daily News” diplomatic correspondent, expresses the extremely confident view of Italian circles in London on the crisis, and pro bnhly also represents the official standpoint ol Rome which is disturbed by the reception accorded to their precipitate action, particularly Britain’s attitude. For this and other material reasons, Italy does not desire to be involved in a serious Balkan war. Corfu was occupied as a pledge for the submission of Greece in following .France’s precedent in the Ruhr. Italy regards Greece’s -war resources contemptuously and lines not believe the European powers or the League "f Nations will succeed in driving her irom Corfu. Italian officials declare that there is

no intention to occupy any other territory unless (-recce takes an aggressite course. No developments may he expected in Finnic likely to further irritate Jugo-Slaviit. The British Government appreciates the extent of the danger of the policy. Briefly, it has transferred its individual responsibility to the League, and has given Lord Robert Cecil clear and definite instructions to promote the League’s action. A full Cabinet supported this decision, whereby Britain subordinates it purely national interest to the larger interest of European peace. It may he taken for granted that the British representatives will not be concerned over the strategic consequences of the Corfu occupation, exceot in so far as thev concern general European interests. ‘ Undoubtedly a more serious turn is given to the crisis by Italy's refusal to honour her signature to the League Covenant, hut there is a disposition abroad to believe that Italy has not said the hist word on this mat-

A great deal turns on Franee's attitude.” Nothing so far has happened to support the suggestion that France might promise to assist Italy in retai n foi” better Italian support of Prance s Ruhr policy. Indeed the Balkan situation would become so complicated, m the event of u war. that Frame m.gnt find herself in an awkward position it she had openly espoused the Italian Lord Curzon's visit to M. l entente was nnpremediated, hut it is hoped that good results will follow. It France and Britain co-operate whole-heartedly, their efforts, it is believed, would react favourably and brighten the prospects of a peaceful solution of the Ruhr question.

FRENCH OPINION. PAioS. Sept. 3. The “Petit Journal’' hopes that Greece and Italy will reach a direct ■agreement and invites the Allied lo«--rs to offer mediation. “Le Journal” says that there is no obligation on Franco to protect any portion of Greek territory,