ITALY AND GREECE.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1923, Page 2

ITALY AND GREECE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. AMERICA N’S A [.LEGATION. LONDON, Sept. 6. The “Daily Express’s” special correspondent at Athens telegraphs. “Colonel Low (an American) who has just returned from Corfu, declares tlnItalians rehearsed the occupation of Corfu a month ago before the Janina murders. An Italian cruiser at that time arrived and her commander sought and obtained the Prefect’s permission to land men for exercise. They stayed five days under canvas, the officers studying the roads and landing places. The Greek Government, however, awaits the next move in the dispute with restraint. Even this suggestion that the occupation was a long prepared coup lias failed to arouse any considerable anger. There have been no anti-Italian demonstrations. The people anxiously await Britain’ s next step.

CORFU OFFICIALS RESUME. ATHENS, Sept. 0. The Prefecture at Corfu has telegraphed that all the Greek civil and police authorities have resumed duty there. MUSSOLINI’S CHARGE. ROME, September o. Signor Mussolini, in a statement to the Cabinet, said that, as he had expected. his declarations of yesterday had caused a certain commotion in Britain and at Geneva. Their purposewas to provoke serious reflection among certain foreign elements, who, ho declared, had “consented to the Greek attempt to pack the cards.” “Lbt us,” he added, “await the decision of t.. 0 Council of the League of Nations. \\’e are sure of our rights. "Wo have a firm and tranquil conscience.” LONDON, September 6. The ‘Daily Express” Geneva correspondent says: A hign Italian authority assured me again to-day that Italy will leave the League of Nations rather than allow the League to interfere. In that event- Greece will lose Corfu for ever. He said: “The only drawback is that Italian relations with Britain might bo strained. We don’t fear the Balkan States.”

SEEKING A WAY OUT. LONDON, Sept. o. The laindon “Morning Post,” in an editorial, says: “Possibly some formula may now he found whereby the League of Nations may lmnd over to the Ambassadors’ Conference its mandate for finding an equitable solution of the present grave issue; hut Britain, in half-efforts to limit the dispute has been badly served by those sections of the British Press, to which Signor Mussolini lias referred. The Chauvinism of Mr Lloyd George and of the Labour Press of Britain are a danger to the peace of Europe, a danger which is noisier than the sabre-ratt-ling of the I-Tohenzollern House in its palmiest days! The danger of the present crisis does not lie in scattering the League of Nations, but in the possible cooling and ending of the Anglo-Italian friendship which not only is a precious legacy, but a present necessity, alike for Italy and for England.”

ITALIAN DESIGNS. LONDON, Sent. 5. Tho “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: “There is a grave phrase in Signor Mussolini's latest declarations. He threatens to remain indefinitely to his every demand. He added that. Corfu was, for centuries, a dependency of Venire. When a politician quotes history, he is thinking, not of the past, but of the future. ‘Tt is a long time since T read an utter-

anee so menacing so European jieaee' —this was said to me by a member of the Foreign Corps Diplomatique who is noted for his cool sagacity, and his mordant wit. Signor Mussolini’s illadvised outburst has had at least the advantage of disclosing certain aspirations hitherto only dimly suspected in British or French naval circles, and among the Little Entente.”

WAR. FEARS IN BALKANS. LONDON, September 6. The “Daily Express” special correspondent at Athens says: ‘'lf the Italians remain in undisputed possession of Corfu there will undoubtedly he serious trouble, ending in possibly another Balkan war. Serbian newspapers are already declaring Serbia will support Greece. Reports from Turkey show one section of opinion there is already urging Kemal Pasha to seize an opportunity to invade Western Thrace. A LONDON PRESS VIEW. LONDON. Sept. 0. The “Daily Telegraph” says:— “What matters is pence, and not a diplomatic victory by one side or the other. The League Council may well recommend the Ambassadors’ Conference to deal with tho Janina murders and tho penalties for them, leaving the League to deliberate upon the occupation of Corfu. France favours this course. I understand that, for the sake of unity, Britain is ready to accept this. It is not the murders which are threatening the peace of Europe, hut the occupation of Corfu. For the League Council and the Assembly, when both are in session, not to consider the occupation of such an-important strategic island, which is dependent upon international guarantees is quite inconceivable. It is absolutely unjust io suggest that some countries, aliovo all Britain, are guilty of showing hostility to Italy, because of n desire to uphold the League covenant.” The “Westminster Gazette” says:— “Britain is taking a wise and honourable course in upholding the League of Nations” right to intervene in the Graeco-Italian crisis, so as to seek a just settlement, and avoid a breach of the peace. No kind of friendliness or of support for an alleged criminal is involved in suggesting that he shall he fairly tried before he is punished, and that tho prosecutor shall not immediately arrogate to himself functions of judge, jury and executioner. The smaller Powers unanimously regard this as a test ease, and are Imping the League will survive it trumphantly. ’lbis is not because these Powers are dominated hv Britain, hut lteeause it will be to their supreme interest that a pact for insuring peace in Europe should be strengthened, and not proved worthless.”

FRENCH ATTITUDE UNCERTAIN

LONDON. Sept. 6

The “Times’s” Geneva correspondent says: The French Government’s attitude is uncertain. Regarding the Corfu incident the French delegates favour the League of Nations acting. The correspondent says Italy’s sole any consists of an ill-defined, hut oani j comprehensible French uneasiness, tomorrow will show which side Frame will swing, and what becomes of tho League and several peace treaties.