WAR FEARS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 January 1939, Page 5

WAR FEARS

DISAPPOINTMENT FELT IN ROME

AS OUTCOME OF BRITISH VISIT.

DUCE'S REPORTED DEMANDS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. January 16. According to the Rome correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph,” a sense of disappointment also accompanied Mr Chamberlain’s departure from Rome. Popular feeling had assumed that Mr Chamberlain, by a wave of his magic umbrella, would remove Italy from the threat of another war. It should not be overlooked that Italy has been at war for three years, which has exhausted her war reserves, notably of aircraft, and, though Italian hotheads are confident that Italy can embark on a conflict against France Signor Mussolini has a clearer appreciation of the true position. Italy’s claims will not be dropped, but, if the initiative is left to her, they will not be pushed to the threshold of war. Germany '.is reliably stated to be counselling caution. It is officially stated in Rome that Signor Mussolini told Mr Chamberlain that, till the Spanish conflict had ended, it was absolutely useless to talk of Italo-French arbitration, or of a FourPower Pact —still less of a ThreePower Pact.

He added that Italy would resume liberty of action if there was any big scale intervention on behalf of Barcelona. Italians would not be withdrawn till General Franco was granted belligerent rights.

FRENCH SOMALILAND. REPORTED ITALIAN PROJECT. By Telegraph—Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, January 16. The Jibuti correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that a number of Italian officers, after enrolling native troops in Harrar, have arrived at Adagalla, in Abyssinia, where they are preparing a base with the object of connecting Adagalla and Eritrea by a road across French territory (French Somaliland). SWISS HOMAGE. MR CHAMBERLAIN PRAISED AS PEACEMAKER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. NEUCHATEL, January 16. Following a public subscription, the people of the Canton and Neuchatel have offered a gift to Mr Neville Chamberlain in recognition of his peacemaking activities.

He has been presented with a gold chronometer of Swiss manufacture and bearing the following inscription: “To Mr Neville Chamberlain, homage of Neuchatel, September 1938. Blessed are the Peace Makers.”