WILL TO PEACE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 September 1939, Page 7

WILL TO PEACE

MANIFESTED IN ITALY PROBLEM OF THE BALKANS. POSITION OF RUMANIA. NEW YORK, September 9. The Rome correspondent of the “New York Times” says that Italy, through an inspired Press, reaffirms her determination to remain neutral indefinitely. The emphasis means that Germany’s exhibition of military strength has not induced Italy.to throw in her lot and, therefore, till there is another phase of the war calling for a decision, Italy will continue as at present. That moment may be very soon. The people are showing the will to peace in all circumstances. There has been no mention of the Axis since hostilities started. Italians, accustomed to the daily mention of it, are wondering why, and public explanation might bring an avalanche on Italy. The Duce is silent because the situation is such that he cannot burn either of the two bridges connecting Berlin and with England and France. The same correspondent says Italy is feverishly endeavouring to strengthen her position in the Balkans and organise a strong Balkan neutrality block. Italian neutrality has enabled the Balkans and Hungary to stay out of. the war, but if one enters all will be forced in, including Italy. The balance is delicate and is difficult to maintain, and it will be more difficult if Poland is conquered quickly. Therefore Italy is working fast.

The chief difficulty is obviously to persuade Britain and France to agree to Balkan neutrality, not only to protect German’s flank, but also to make available to Germany an enormous source of food and raw materials which must be partly diverted before the Allies will accept the neutrality plan. Rumania recently offered Hungary a non-aggression pact, which was turned down, but it has again been offered as a result of Italian intervention, and has not yet been refused. Only Rumania and Yugoslavia have formally declared their neutrality. The Rumanian public are pro-French and anti-German. but the position is very' vulnerable. There is reason to believe that the Pope favours a neutrality bloc. The relations of the Holy See with Italy have rarely been more friendly as a result of Italy keeping out of the war. but the maintenance of Italian neutrality is very delicate. Britain, France and Germany could force her to participate overnight, and therefore she must be careful to satisfy them all.