MUSSOLINI INCIDENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1926, Page 2

MUSSOLINI INCIDENT.

HOW TO TALK TO GERMANY. BAVARIAN PREMIER. THUNDERSTRUCK. [Australia A* N./,. Cable Association.J LONDON, Feb. 9. Herr Held, the Bavarian Premier, in an interview, said: “I am thunderstruck at Signor Mussolini’s offensive outburst. He has much misquoted my speech, but t have reason to believe that Count Barbero, the Italian Con-sul-General at Munich, lias deliberately communicated a falstied version to Rome. I told Dr Stresemnnn and Dr Luther this to-day, pointing out that Count Barbero is tlu- patron of the body of Fuseisti in Munich. I consider Signor Mussolini's threat to carry the tricolour beyond the Brenner froutie is one of the gravest. We would be at a disadvantage. Ivors- we a'v

unarmed, but we never would sub-mil voluntarily.”

The “'Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: “Such threats, il ever seriously intended, would require the consideration of the League ol Nations because they are not consonant with the spirit or the letter ol t InCovenant or the Locarno Agreement. The “Daily Telegraph's” Berlin correspondent says: Signor Mussolini himself is reported to be surprised at the effect which his words have had. At anyrato, he has now circulated the text of his speech, wherein a passage about carrying colours over the Brenner Pass is couched in considerably less aggressive terms than in the newspaper version. There is some hope, therefore, that the incident may be modified' !>v subsequent explanations. A curious effect is that Signor Mussolini is now completely reinstated m the good graces oi I‘ranee. I fie finger section of the French press is com mending him as an example ol how to talk to Germany. »