ANGLO-ITALIAN RELATIONS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 369, 25 February 1937, Page 5

ANGLO-ITALIAN RELATIONS

SUFFERED SET-BACK LONDON INVITATION Italians Object to Haile Selassie. Press Association—Copyright. London, Feb. 24. The Rome correspondent of the Times says the British invitation to Haile Selassie to attend the Coronation has created a bad impression in Italy. It is pointed out that deposed sovereigns do not lose their claim to the title of “His Majesty” when they have lost their Kingdom and therefore no objection could be raised if the invitation were addressed simply “His Majesty • Haile Selassie.” However, the case would take on a very different complexion if it wtere addressed to “Haile Selassie, Emperor of Abyssinia,” since the King of Italy now holds 1 that title.

. a The Morning Post’s Rome correspondent declares that Anglo-Italian relations have suffered a definite setback as a result of the invitation, which sections of the Italian Press describe as an affront to Italy, if not a challenge. The Spokesman of the Abyssinian Legation told the Daily Mail it was possible that Ras Desta woufd be asked to visit London for the coronation if he could find time to leave his troops in Eastern Abyssinia, otherwise there were other Rases at present in exile who had won honour in war worthy to represent the Emperor.