CIANO EXPLAINS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 April 1939, Page 5

CIANO EXPLAINS

WHY ITALY SEIZED ALBANIA APPEAL TO ANCIENT HISTORY. ATTACK ON DEMOCRACIES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ROME, April 15. Field-Marshal Goering, who is on a visit to Rome and Signor Mussolini, received a great ovation in the Chamber of Fascist Corporations today, to which Count Ciano, Foreign Minister, announced the union of Italy and Albania. He declared that Albanians would noW> have prosperity and tyin the course of a long historical survey, he claimed that Italy’s interest in Albania dated back to the third century before Christ. “When I was in'Yugoslavia in January,” he added, “I warned that Government that there might be modifications of Italy’s rela-

lions with King Zog, who attempted to spoil Italy’s good relations with Yugoslavia and arbitrarily used Italian financial aid. “Italy, nevertheless, continued 'to help the Albanians, building bridges and roads. Every industrial undertaking in Albania is Italian. The country has now spontaneously thrown off a sordid mediaeval tyranny. The welcome given to the Italian troops proved that the Duce’s policy was right. All Albanian cities are intact and unbombed. and all homes are standing. "I deplore the headlines in the foreign newspapers.” said/ Count Ciano. He then attacked the democracies and said that any attempt to upset the union of Italy and Albania would be met by action. The destinies of Italy and Albania were forever linked. Cheering followed references to Japan’s friendship. Count Ciano, in conclusion, said that Mr Chamberlain’s speech was based on unchecked reports and ignored history, but Italy was fully agreed with the Prime Minister regarding the necessity for maintaining the Anglo-Italian agreement, to which Italy attributed great value, and was animated by an equal desire to maintain and Observe all clauses as hitherto. Italy’s relations with Greece were excellent. Incendiary attempts to provoke a major crisis had failed. The occupation of Albania signified greater assurances of European peace. The Chamber of Fascist Corporations passed by acclamation a Bill making King Victor Emanuel King of Albania. MINISTER IN LONDON REFUSAL TO RECOGNISE PUPPET REGIME. ( LONDON. April 16. The Albanian Minister in London has cabled the puppet Government in Tirana stating that he refuses to recognise a regime and Government formed under the domination of foreigners. CONSUL KILLED. MURDER IN SALONIKA. SALONIKA, April 15. An Albanian refugee officer in a fit of rage shot dead the Albanian Consul and then committed suicide.