CONCERTED ACTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 January 1939, Page 5

CONCERTED ACTION

ITALIAN & GERMAN CLAIMS ANTICIPATION OF JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT. SENSATION IN DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received This Day. 12.45 p.m.) ROME, January 23. Marshal Balbo's "Il Corriere Padano" declares that Herr Hitler and Count Ciano are making formal announcements of German and Italian claims on January 30. The statement is not confirmed, but has caused a sensation in diplomatic circles. "Il Corriere” adds that Count Ciano is going to Berlin on January 30 to participate in the Nazis' sixth anniversary ceremonies, at which Herr Hitler is to make a speech in the Reichstag and bring up the colonies claim.

Count Ciano will declare that the German colonial claims and Italy’s national aspirations are linked.

OPINION IN FRANCE AN ARTIFICIAL CAMPAIGN. SUGGESTED MILITARY PRECAUTIONS. LONDON. January 24. France is unanimous in assuming that the attacks by the Italian Press are not based on an honest desire to discuss legitimate claims, but represent an artificial campaign to justify imperialistic pretensions. Commentators recall the parallel of the German Press abuse against the Czechs till Herr Hitler showed his hand. Almost the whole French Press envisages the possibility of a difficulty arising necessitating a postponement in carrying out Signor Mussolini’s promise to Mr Chamberlain to withdraw from Spain after General Franco’s victory.

It is regarded as significant in Paris that General Gamelin and Vice-Ad-miral Darlan, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, have postponed their tour of France’s North African defences to remain in Paris in order to watch the Spanish situation. The French General Staff has presented the Premier. M. Daladier, with a plan for the seizure of Minorca and Spanish Morocco if Signor Mussolini does not quit Spain immediately the war ends. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Express” points out that positions on the Spanish mainland, such as Cartagena and Alicante, could also be occupied. Minorca could be taken over without trouble as the Government would certainly rather .hand over to France than General Franco. The Foreign Minister, M. Bonnet, is expected tonight to define France’s attitude during a reply' in the foreign affairs debate, M. Blum following M. Bonnet as the spearhead of the Opposition’s attempt to force the opening of the Spanish frontier. M. Daladier will reply for the Government. It is understood that the theme of his speech will be “no adventures, no abandonments.” It is expected that a confidence vote will be taken on January 26.

NEW YORK SCARE RUMOURS OF ITALIAN MOBILISATION. HEAVY FALL IN STOCK VALUES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. NEW YORK. January 24. Stocks lost one to 10 points in the most active trading of the year today, nearly 2,000,000 shares changing hands. Foreign developments, such as the repercussions from Dr Schacht's dismissal, the Spanish situation and rumours of Italian mobilisation are held responsible. PREMIER TO SPEAK ROME VISIT AND OTHER QUESTIONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. January 23. A statement by Mr Chamberlain on his Rome visit is expected to be made when Parliament reassembles on January 31. Important Government pronouncements on other current questions are also expected in reply to questions on Palestine, air raid precautions, and the Czechoslovakian loan.

RETURN OF COLONIES MUST BE ACHIEVED PEACEFULLY. GERMAN FOREIGN OFFICE INSTRUCTIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, January 24. “The return of the German colonies must be achieved peacefully.” states a set of instructions issued by the Foreign Office’s colonial political department for the guidance of those training in colonial policy, says the Berlin correspondent of "The Times.” The opening up of colonial and raw material sources, according to the instructions, is a question of life and death for Germany, which does not want colonies for mass colonisation.

The instructions emphasise that the former German colonies must always be described as actual possessions only temporarily under mandate.