ITALY’S ATTITUDE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 130, 2 May 1940, Page 9

ITALY’S ATTITUDE

DEFINITELY ALARMING FRENCH OPINION: FUTURE OBSCURE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received May 2, 10.40 a.m. PARIS, May 1. Tlie Foreign Office spokesman stated that the Italian attitude towards the Allies in the last two days had been definitely alarming and future relations were uneasy. He added that apprehension was based on the general attitude of the Italian Government and diplomatic circles rather than specific facts.

A Rome message reports that the Italian Press ignores the British precautions in the Mediterranean arid concentrates in rejoicing over the alleged great German successes in Norway.

The liner Rex has sailed for New York and others have left according to schedule.

An official Gazette announces the appointment'of a committee to ensure the rapid and orderly transition of Italian telephone and telegraph communications to a war footing. (From Daventry.) ! When the Italian Council of Ministers meets in Rome to-morrow under the presidence of Signor Mussolini, .it will have an unexpected topic to discuss. This is the decision of the British authorities to take precautions for the safety of British shipping which would normally pass through the Mediterranean. The Italian Press is not so bellicose as it was, but is still strongly proGerman, and only one Italian paper prints the friendly reference to Italy made this week by Mr Menzics (Australian Prime Minister).