MR CHAMBERLAIN CRITICISES ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1939, Page 6

MR CHAMBERLAIN CRITICISES ITALY

World Public Opinion Again Shocked FRESH EXfifeitlON OF USE OF FORCE STATEMENT BY LORD HALIFAX (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 12.55 p.m.) RUGBY, April 13. In the opening part of hisi itateitiont ih the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain recalled recent events and stressed the difficulty which had been experienced in getting information from Albania. He proceeded to give’ the house accounts from both Albanian and Italian sources which conflicted in many particulars, and suggested that it would meantime be wise to suspend judgment on the facts. But there was nd doubt, he said, of the general effect produced by the Italian action. Public opinion throughout the world once again had been profoundly shocked by this fresh exhibition of the use of force. , ... Before proceeding to his declaration regarding assurances to Greece and Rumania, the Premier reported in detail on the diplomatic exchanges of the Easter weekend. It was natural that Britain should view the Italian proceedings in Albania in relation to the Anglo-Italian Agreement, in which the two Governments had disclaimed any desire to modify, or see modified, the status quo in the Mediterranean. This was the basis, the Premier made clear, on which the earliest British representations were made both to Count Ciano and to the Italian representative in London. Lord Halifax, after his statement in the House of Lords, added! “The Government is fully aware of the gravity of the decisions recorded, but it has taken this course, after full reflection and consideration, in the belief that as things stand today a perfectly clear declaration of its attitude in certain events, from which in no case can Britain properly stand aside, would render those events less likely.