Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1940. ITALY’S POSITION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 132, 4 May 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1940. ITALY’S POSITION.

In tlie past several weeks the Italian Press —semi-official and non-official—and radio have adopted a most hostile attitude towards the Allies. This radical change from the more impartial view taken earlier in the war has aroused a good deal of concern in Britain and France. Early in September Italy announced her policy of “non-belligerency.” Many Italians had been shocked at the revelation of the alliance between Bussia and Germany—the enemy of the anti-Comintern Pact had. been admitted to partnership with Italy’s Axis. ally. Italy’s conduct was that of a neutral and the Allies have taken good care to respect her interests, showing also willingness to meet all her legitimate requests. The matter of the importation of German coal in Italian ships, consequent upon Britain’s banning of German exports, was amicably settled and Britain has endeavoured to promote trade with Italy and to help her in these difficult times. Of late, how r ever, there has been a most disturbing change in Rome and the Allies are now frankly told that Italy is not a neutral; she is allied to Germany, and is determined to fight for her liberty in the Mediterranean. Both Signor Mussolini and Count Grandi, the former Italian Ambassador in London, have declared that Italy cannot remain indefinitely out of the conflict; they are waiting for orders and are ready. The orders can be those only of Hitler, whose recent conference with Mussolini near the Brenner Pass could only have been sought to bring Italy into line against the Allies. The British Minister for Economic Warfare and Hr Dalton of the Labour Party have gone to pains to assure Italy of Britain’s goodwill, but they have made it quite clear that we wish to know where we stand with Rome.- M. Reynaud, too, has affirmed the friendly attitude of France to her neighbour with whom she has no quarrel. So serious has the situation in the Mediterranean become that Britain has been compelled to divert her shipping by way of the Cape as a precautionary measure. But it is emphasised that this will continue only so long as it is necessary, and that both Britain and France still desire to seek Italy’s friendship which Mussolini’s and his leading Ministers’ bellicose statements suggest is not desired. Yet long before the Greiat War. in which Italy was a valuable ally, friendship with both Britain and France was traditional. Everything has been done to retain it, with frankly disappointing results. Italy must soon reply to the question of Mr Cross, and if the answer is to favour Hitler then the Empire can only regret it. But the Allies are not unprepared for eventualities. As Mr Cross and Dr Dalton have said, Allied relative naval power in the Mediter-

ranean has been greatly strengthened, and Mr Churchill himself says that Britain alone is capable of holding that sea.. In the meantime the precautionary measure adds to the disabilities already imposed by the war. Trade between Australia and the Empire will not be hampered to any extent, but tankers and other vessels engaged in the Oriental service will' have their route considerably enlarged, with greater cost and somewhat protracted voyages, But avoidance of the Mediterranean frees the Navy for whatever duty lies before it in the immediate future.