BAN ON THE PRESS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 429, 10 May 1937, Page 5

BAN ON THE PRESS

ITALY ANNOYED BRITISH JOURNALISTS EXPELLED “Vile Insinuations’" Press Association —Copyright. Rome, May 9. Owing Ito 'the hostile (attitude of most of the British Press toward Italy all British newspapers have been banned from Italy except the Daily Mail, the Evening News and the Observer, it is officially stated. All Italian correspondents are being withdrawn from London and the Coronation is being ignored. It is rumoured that some British correspondents are being expelled from Italy. This is (the culmination of fresh anti-British feeling arising from reports of Italian defeats in Spain. Italian journalists interviewed at London deny that they have been recalled. Nevertheless, they ’are proceeding to Rome during the weekend. Some -plead personal reasons, others huisness engagements, but all express the opinion that itihey will return after the Coronation. Signor Mussolini’s order creates fresh acute tension between Britain and Italy. Signor Mutsolini was never so bitter against Britain as now. It is recalled that no|t even during the height of the Abyssinian differences when the British fleet was occupying the Mediterranean in greait strength did Italy act against British newspapers or affect Italian correspondents. “The wfhdriawal of correspondents and the prohibition of British newspapers is not a reprisal, but a gesture of dignity, as British newspapers disregarded a gentlemen’s agreement and have been slandering Italy, creating new and extending existing misunderstandings,” states the newspaper Lu Tribuna. x ‘The Italian people have been wounded by vile insinuations against the brave Italian legionaries in Spain fighltlng to prevent the Bolshevisation of Europe.”