ITALY AND GREECE.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1923, Page 2

ITALY AND GREECE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. MUSSOLINI ON POSITION. ROME, September 4. Mussolini addressing Cabinet, declared the situation at Corfu was perfectly normal. The Italian garrison was sufficient to meet all emergencies. European public opinion was beginning to modify its attitude and comments approving of Italian action were increasing. Doubtless Italian public opinion was surprised and grieved by tbe attitude of such a large section of the Britisn press. He hoped this burning lesson of political realism coming from across the Channel would decisively cure Italy of the malady of conventional phrases. SUGGESTED PROCEDURE. LONDON. Sept. 5. The Exchange Telegraph’s Geneva correspondent, says: “The Greek proposals were submitted to-night, and were generally favourably received. It is now believed that unless Italy totnorow refuses to discuss the matter, a way out of the crisis can easily he found. The method to l>e pursued will consist of accepting the Greek' proposals, as a basis for discussion, then referring them first to the Ambassadors’ Conference for an immediate report, on the ground that that body took the first stop after the murders were committed. Ft is expected the Ambassadors would be able to report within a week, leaving the League Council to niako a final decision, winch would not lesson the League’s uutlioritv.” “Italy holds the key to the situation. If she refuses to abode by the League eonvenant, she will find a majority of the present Assembly are ready to compel the Council to act, or to wreck the League.”

NEUTRALS FOR LEAGUE. GENEVA, Sept. 4. Norwegian. Swedish, and Little Entente delegates intimated their intention of withdrawing from the League of Nations unless it deals with the GraecoItalian trouble. GREEK FORCES IN ALBANIA. LONDON, Sept. 4. Reports from Albania say there are great activities there on the part of the Greek soldiers. FRENCH MISSION IN DANGER. LONDON. Sept. 1. The Loudon “Daily Express’s” Rome correspondent says:—“The Jugo Slavia delegate on the Albanian Frontier Commission has sent an urgent message te tho head of the French mission, urging hint to remove tbe posts marking the new frontier as tbe population had no intention of surrendering the territory allotted to Albania, and the Jugo-Sliivian Government feel powerless to ensure the safety of the lives of the French mission. ITALY’S DETERMINATION. LONDON, Sept. 4. The “Daily Mail’s” Rome correspondent states: Signor Mussolini told an interviewer: “If the Greeks tulfil the conditions of the ultimatum, we will withdraw from Corfu, but they had letter pay sodn, because the price will be higher next week. These operations arc expensive.” He added that he ordered the fleet to Corfu because Italy would get nothing unless she took pledges. She would keep these pledges until Greece completely and literally hail complied with the terms. Tf Greece did not pay, the Italians would remain in Corfu indefinitely. Italy had no intention of occupying more Greek territorv. unless the Greeks were foolish enough to attack the Italians, or to attack property, in which case Italy would take military action immediately. The Italian public, he said, liked and respected the League of Nations, but this question did not affect the League. If the League protested, then be might- withdraw iroin it. Cabinet entirely endorsed Mussolini's attitude in regard to Greece.

ADVICE TO BRITAIN. .Received this day at 0.0 a.m.) LONDON, September 5. The “Daily Chronicle”, in a lender on the Graeco-Italian question, says ..nut aSI 'natiOns o£ the world are vitally interested in the attitude of the League of Nations which challenged its foundations. They must take up tne challenge or abdicate. If this is not done it will he due to the failure of co-operation between France and Britain, divided as they are and each under temptation to betray the League in order to buy Italy’s support. If the worst comes to the worst, let Britain keep her hands clean and let no breath of disloyalty to the League icst on her name. IT ALi AN MURDERED. /Received this day at 0.0 a.in.) PARIS. September 5. The murder of the third member of the Italian Fascist group has aroused the Italian colony in Paris to lury. At the close of a meeting for the purpose of deciding on'arrangements for thc funeral of Sylvio Lombardo who was stabbed on Sunday, a man fired a pistol into a group of Fascists in the street. A young maiire d’liotel, Ginoilieri was killed. The murderer was seized and found to he in possession of a large number of cartridges and Communist tracks. He and a man named Casianga were apparently expelled from Italy by Mussolini. FOR AND AGAINST THE LEAGUE. (Received this day at 0.0 a.m.) LONDON, Septemlier 5. The Greek reply to the Note from the Ambassadors’ Conference has beon received and will be considered on Wednesday. French official opinion is still opposed to the League of Nations arbitrating in the dispute as a Conference of Ambassadors is dealing with tile matter, hut it is doubtful if the French Government will go so far as to support Italy against the League, if Italy refuses to accept the League's arbitration, ‘‘be Temps” is a leading a campaign against the League. declaring that those now wanting the League's intervention are those who would not tolerate it during the Greek offensive in 1921. If the League cannot be impartial how can France sit on it. The “Journal des Debats” supports the League.