FRIENDSHIP ESSENTIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 219, 5 December 1927, Page 1

FRIENDSHIP ESSENTIAL

MUSSOLINI IS WILLING RAPPROCHEMENT WITH FRANCE By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. PARIS, Saturday. The Prime Minister of Italy, Signor Mussolini, has explicitly authorised the newspaper “Excelsior” to state that between France and Italy, in cases of difficulty, there can be only one course—that of friendship. Any other policy would be suicidal for both countries. A message from London says that “The Times,” referring to the position that has been reached in the relations between France and Italy as the result of a series of trivial incidents, says the risks are so plain as to suggest the necessity for an immediate remedy. The attitude of the Czecho-Slovakian Minister in keeping aloof from the extremist element is approved by the “Times,” and the French Foreign Minister, M. Briand, is described as having put the whole question in a new perspective by his invitation to the Prime Minister of Italy, Signor Mussolini, to come to a frank understanding on the Vra :i cn-Ital in n differences and by his suggestion of a meeting to clear up the misunderstandings. “The Times” says this statesmanlike proposal is calculated to appeal to Signor Mussolini, who, absorbed as he has been of late in his immense task of internal reconstruction, may welcome this opportunity of making a fresh contribution to the general well-being of Europe. SIGNATORY TO LOCARNO

It cannot he forgotten, the paper says, that he was a signatory of the Treaty of Locarno. His present apparent antagonism may be turned to great profit, I it is used as a heavensent occasion for carrying through such a thorough and far-reaching agreement between France and Italy as shall reduce the recent unpleasant episodes to oblivion. A Paris message says the Governments of France and Italy have signed a convention settling the reciprocal position of their nationals in each other’s country.—Sun.