ITALY AND GREECE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1923, Page 3

ITALY AND GREECE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. CONTROL OF I'd I'M E. ITALIAN MOVEMENTS. (Received this day at 9.25 a.in.) LONDON, Sept. 17. The “Daily Express” Finnic correspondent says it is idle to declare that Flume's status is that of a free State. The provisional President is a mere figurehead. He receives and promptly carries out orders from Rome. The Italian military have been completely in control of the city during the last few weeks. There has developed the largest concentration of Italian troops ever known on the Istrian peninsula. There arc nearly twenty thousand in Trieste sector and twelve thousand in close vicinity to Finnic department, gradually moving towards the .Jugoslav frontier. The abnormal movement in this direction which tho general command explains as merely carrying out manoeuvres, lends support to the Servian contention that Mussolini in postponing his ultimatum is merely playing for time.

ITALY AND UIU.ME. (TJ-acaived this day at 8 a.m.i ROME, Sep. 17. It is announced that, pending a settlement of the question, and in view-of the abnormal situation at Finnic* caused h.v the"resignation of the Constituent- -Assembly, the Italian Cabinet has deeided to appoint General Giardino as military governor, with authority to carry on the administration. The decision has been communicated to the Government at Belgrade and all the Powers. WHAT DOES ITALY WANT? (Received this day at 10.*15 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 17.

Mr Donohue, the “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent telegraphing from Belgrade*, asks what dries Italy want and why is she pushing Jugo-Slavia to the brink of war? The answer is not readily forthcoming in the Serbian capital where the statesmen are frankly puzzled, and who say the answer to tile problem must be sought at Romo, and not at Belgrade. Nevertheless, although Servia lias been sorely tried by the war, she is just as ready in 1920 to defend her menaced honour and national interests. There is no jingo spirit here hut Jugo-Slavia takes her stand on the Treaty of Rapallo. which is either binding, upon its signatories or a worthless scrap of paper which one of the signatory powers proposes lo tear up. ,

GENERAL (I IA RHINO’S MISSION

ROME, Sept. 17

General Giardino lias gone to 1 n.'ne. The fact that he is wearing mufti end not.carrying a uniform, is regarded as an indication that his mission will be entirely confined to the civil aih-iins-tratinn of the city, and have no military obioct. It is desired to maintain friendly relations with Servia. hut it is felt that ». further post pour.nonl. en the part of Jugo-Slavia cannot l.c tolerated, especially in riew of toe plight of Finnic, which according to t U accounts, is on the verge of starvation.