NO SUDDEN CHANGE.

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

NO SUDDEN CHANGE.

IN. ITALIAN POLICY. ASSURANCE TO ENVOY. Received May 2, 11.55 a.m. ROME, May 1. Signor Mussolini is reported to have assured the United States Ambassador in a personal interview to-day that there would he no sudden change in Italy’s position. The Deputy Leader of the Nazi Party (Herr Hess) in a speech in Berlin, said Italy believed the time had not yet come to speak of the outstanding differences between her and the .Western Powers. For the moment Germany was a sufficient opponent for tlie democracies . (From Daventry.) Count Ciano (Italian Foreign Minister) asked the Britisli charge d’Affaires to call on him in Rome and it is reported that the British official handed him a Note. The talks are stated to have been cordial. Tlie United States Ambassador (Mr W. Phillips) had an interview with Signor Mussolini. It is reported that Mr Phillips sought information regarding Italy’s intentions to which the Due© replied that Italy did not contemplate making a war move at present.

The business at the Cabinet meriting in Rome was apparently domestic, as a new tax on profits was among the measures passed.

Officials in Rome are silent concerning the British shipping ban in the Mediterranean. Marshal Balho’s paper states: “Britain is an intruder in the Mediterranean and should be thrown out.” Insurance rates for the Mediterranean and the Black Sea have advanced sharply in London; some have been trebled. The Journal des Debats (Paris) states that France, has taken similar steps to Britain in the Mediterranean.