PACT WITH ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1938, Page 7

PACT WITH ITALY

STATEMENT TO THE LEAGUE CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL PEACE. HOPE OF EXTENDED EFFECTS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 10. When today’s session of the League Council opened at Geneva, Lord Halifax made a statement on the AngloItalian agreement. He would not, he said, embark on a detailed analysis of the agreement or on the history of An-glo-Italian relations during the few years following upon the Italian action in Ethiopia. “The general result of the action,” he said, “was to produce a regrettable state of tension between the two countries which reflected itself not only upon our mutual relations but over a much wider field. Particularly was this so in the Mediterranean area, where it is true that if relations between Italy and the United Kingdom are strained the sense of security of many nations is impaired. “It was not only, therefore, to their own specific interests, which run parallel throughout the Mediterranean and down the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, but to the advantage also of many other countries that His Majesty’s Government and the Italian Government should settle their outstanding differences and lay down a basis which it is hoped will ensure a good understanding between them in areas where their mutual interest is involved. This is what the two Governments have sought to achieve by the conclusion of their recent agreement. “Thus, although the agreement might be said to deal solely with Anglo-Italian affairs, I am convinced that the mere fact that the mutual interests of two great countries should be thus capable of reconciliation is significant. This fact must encourage all who wish to believe that on a basis of reason and goodwill international differences can be solved. It must also of necessity react favourably upon the general sense of security not only in Europe but throughout the world.

“On these broad grounds, therefore, the agreement can, in the view of His Majesty’s Government, be readily regarded as a contribution to general peace. Nor can His Majesty’s Government doubt that it is the realisation of this which has inspired the reception given to the agreement in most countries and particularly in Europe.” Lord Halifax continued that His Majesty’s Government had close relations with many other Governments, especially with France, in Europe and elsewhere. It did not regard any of these relationships as being by any means exclusive, and while strengthening Britain’s existing friendships she sought ways to increase them in number and extend their scope. The newly signed agreement made a further step in this direction, as well as assisting the promotion of peace in this distracted world.

For the same reason the British Government was following with interest the progress made by the French Government in its efforts to reach a mutual agreement with Italy.