ITALY AND BRITAIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1530, 1 April 1916, Page 4

ITALY AND BRITAIN.

For some time the Italian press has been discussing the question of the increase of the cost of maritime transport, which has been responsible for the enormous price of coal and wheat. All the papers demand Britain’s assistance in obtaining reasonable reductions, and some of them reproach Britain. Mr Marconi, who whilst in London dealt with the question in the interest of Italy, has returned to Rome, and has been interviewed by the papers. He declared that Britain was disposed to assist Italy, but the British mercantile marine at present was not adequate for the needs of commerce. The British Government, on the other hand, was busying itself in commercial and industrial affairs of a private nature. In Britain the military work of Italy was not appreciated as it ought to be, and it was thought that Italy should have done more, either on her own frontier or on the other fronts. It was complained that Italy declined to intervene in the Dardanelles or at Salonika, and did not assist Montenegro. Such a state of feeling and of public opinion was hindering relief being given to Italy. Britain did not know what Italy had done. It was necessary to enlighten British public opinion. Mr Marconi concluded by affirming Great Britain’s unalterable confidence in final victory.