ITALY & FRANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 December 1938, Page 5

ITALY & FRANCE

THE AGITATION OVER TUNIS ANTICIPATED REACTIONS IN PARIS. POSSIBLE REPRESENTATIONS TO BRITAIN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, December 2. The “Daily Telegraph” reveals that during the September crisis plans were contemplated for putting pressure on Libya from Tunisia in order to relieve possible Italian pressure on Egypt. This is not overlooked by the authorities in Rome, who desire to avert a repetition. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that probably France will express to London apprehension that Mr Chamberlain’s visit to Rome may prove a disservice to Franco-Italian relations and also cause a damaging interpretation of Franco-British Mediterranean solidarity.

The correspondent adds that a stiffening in the French attitude toward Spanish affairs is expected.

Following on a demonstration in Rome, in and outside Parliament, in which cries of “Tunisia” and “Duce, Tunis, Corsica!” were raised, the newspaper "La Tribuna” declared that the French occupation of Tunis in 1881 was a grave insult and is always remembered by Italians. It added that, in order to be friends with Italy, it was necessary for France to repair the insult. .