ITALY & GREECE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 November 1939, Page 6

ITALY & GREECE

NONAGGRESSION PACT PENDING NEWS WELCOMED IN LONDON. STABILISING INFLUENCE IN MEDITERRANEAN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) RUGBY, October 31. It is learnt in London that a nonaggression pact between Italy and Greece will be signed shortly. Informed circles in London feel that the agreement will have a stabilising influence in the Mediterranean. As such it will be welcomed here. When the details are published it is expected that they will prove to be largely a reaffirmation of a similar agreement between the two countries in 1928. It is understood that Britain has been informed of the negotiations between Italy and Greece. Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, said he proposed to appoint Mr Graftey Smith to be Consul-Gen-eral in Albania in succession to Sir Andrew Ryan. | An earlier message stated that Britain had asked Italy to permit the appointment of a British Consul-General at Tirana, where administrative difficulties. which have been considerable since Italy took over Albania, have increased owing to the war. BOOM IN SHARES FOLLOWING ON ITALIAN CABINET CHANGES. (Received This Day. 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, October 31. The British United Press Paris correspondent states that Mediterranean shares boomed on the Stock Exchange as a result of the news of the Italian Cabinet changes. Suez Canal shares rose to 450 and Rio Tinto to 92. Others averaged forty points. \

DRIFT FROM AXIS ANTICIPATED BY OBSERVERS. (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, October 31. The British United Press Rome correspondent states that the Cabinet reshuffle appears to strengthen Italy’s neutrality. The new Ministers are all experts well suited to a vigorous policy in international trade and diplomacy, for which neutrality is most desirable. Many consider that the removal of Signors Alfleri and Starace heralds a drift from the Axis. GERMAN ANNOUNCEMENT i . (Received This Day. 12.55 p.m.) LONDON. October 31. The German radio announced the Italian reshuffle, quoting Italian quarters to the effect that it does not affect the Duce’s traditional policy. BALKAN BLOC UNDER MUSSOLINI'S LEADERSHIP. ADVOCATED IN RUMANIA. (Received This Day, 12.30 p.m.) BUCHAREST, October 31. The Press again advocates the formation of a neutral Balkan bloc, under Signor Mussolini’s leadership, comprising a hundred million sober, industrious and disciplined people determin-' ed to defend their interests even by force of arms. The Press adds that Italy’s peace role may even eclipse her war role, inasmuch as she exemplifies the value of constructive work, order and discipline, including possibilities of relaxing tension and promoting understanding in the Balkans and the Mediterranean.