M. DALADIER’S TOUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1938, Page 5

M. DALADIER’S TOUR

NO NAVAL DEMONSTRATION ON OCCASION OF VISIT TO TUNIS. SMALL ESCORT ARRANGED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, December 28. For his forthcoming visit to Tunis, the French Premier, M Daladier, has decided to cut down his naval convoy drastically, in order to avoid giving the impression of a demonstration which the Italian Press has labelled “provocation.” Consequently, instead of 23 warships, he will be accompanied by only one cruiser, the Emile Berton, and a destroyer division. He himself is travelling in the Foch. Meanwhile the Aden correspondent of “The Times” says that demonstrations of loyalty to France continue in Jibuti. Eight thousand Arabs, Somalis, Indians and Jews marched to Government House carrying banners inscribed, “We do not want to suffer the same fate as Ethiopia. We want to live. Jibuti must remain French.” All roads leading to the Italian Consulate have been closed against natives.

ITALIAN TACTICS DISCUSSED BY FRENCH WRITERS. MR CHAMBERLAIN CRITICISED. PARIS, December 27. “Pertinax,” writing in “L’Ordre,” and Madame Tabouis, in “L’Oeuvre,” report heavy massing of Italian troops on the frontier of French Somaliland. Madame Tabouis does not take this seriously, pointing out that the Italians must cross 200 miles of desert before attacking French territory, but “Pertinix’” declares that the concentration is accompanied by intinsified anti-French propaganda from Fascist radio stations in Abyssinia.

Abyssinian radio stations, according to “Pertinax,” assert that about 500 Italian soldiers are installed in French territory 20 miles over the frontier and 60 miles from Jibuti. Italy has 91,000 soldiers in East Africa, and also 130,000 white workers, and 150,000 natives, organised militarily. The Italians are also reported to be hastily building military roads to the French frontier. Recalling that Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax are likely to see M Daladier and M Bonnet when they are en route to Rome, ‘"Pertinax” adds: “Mr Chamberlain flatters himself that he can act as mediator between Italy and France. A more realistic view makes him appear to be a dangerous agitator, despite his excellent intentions. “Some people assert that Signor Mussolini will take advantage of the incident in order to comfort Mr Chamberlain with a fait accompli, relying on Mr Chamberlain to forestall France’s reaction.”

FRENCH PREMIER’S PLANS BRIEF VISIT TO ALGIERS. MORE EXTENDED TOUR LATER. ■ (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) PARIS, December 28. M. Daladier told a deputation of Algerian Parliamentarians that he plans a one day visit to Algiers on January 6, to review troops and confer with the military chiefs. He hopes later in the year to visit Morocco and make an extensive tour of Algeria. TUNIS NOT WANTED ACCORDING TO SIGNOR GAYDA. AREA NOT FRENCH TERRITORY. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) ROME, December 28. Signor Virgino Gayda says Italy does not want Tunis, but has a right to interfere to protect her nationals and maintain the status quo and opposes increased French control of Tunis, which is not French territory. TROOPS FOR JIBUTI. DISPATCH OF SENEGALESE BATTALION. (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON. December 28. The Central News Paris correspondent states that a Senegalese battalion forming part of France’s famous mobile force of 75,000 colonial troops is proceeding to Jibuti from Marseilles today, following on an appeal from General Deschamps, the Somaliland Governor.