ITALIAN POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 December 1939, Page 8

ITALIAN POLICY

RATHER MIXED SPEECH MADE BY CIANO THE ANTI-COMINTERN PACT AND THE AXIS. NO INITIATIVE TO BE TAKEN AS MATTERS STAND. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. ROME. December 16. The galleries of the Fascist Chamber were packed today when the Foreign Minister, Count Ciano delivered a speech on international affairs. Signor Mussolini was present. Count Ciano said: “It is Italy’s duty to assure her own security and independence." He declared that Italy’s realistic attitude had prevented a widening of the European conflict. He defended the Abyssinian campaign and Italy’s action in the Spanish war. Referring to the Anti-Cominten Pact, he claimed that Signor Mussolini was the first to fight Bolshevism. Reaffirming the solidarity of the Berlin-Rome axis. Count Ciano said it was encirclement of Germany and not the Polish Corridor or Danzig which led to the war. Moreover, the British and French Governments had designs on the Mediterranean which conflicted with Italian interests. He paid a tribute to the bravery of the Poles and declared that the British and French guarantee was responsible for their attitude to Germany. On August 21, Count Ciano said, he received a message from' Herr von Ribbentrop saying that he was going to Moscow to sign a pact with Russia. The situation toward the end of August became graver, and Italy did not omit to take precautions for her national safety. On August 31 she decided on a pacific attitude. Her intention not to fight was known to the German Government and to no other, and was the reason for the telegram from the Reich stating that Germany had not thought it necessary to ask Italy for assistance. The purpose of Germany’s agreement with Moscow was to insure that Russia keep out of the encirclement and remain neutral. If the democracies had ignored Moscow, Germany would have found a way to do likewise. “Italy continues to follow the developments and events and is ever ready if possible to give again a contribution toward world peace." the Minister added. "She is equally determined to protect her interests on land and sea, and her future as a great Power.” Count Ciano reaffirmed Italy’s desire to see peace and friendship in the Balkans, but not through a bloc. Count Ciano said he wished to make it clear that no initiative was to be expected from Italy, nor was it her intention to take any initiative as matters stood at the moment, a radio message states. A considerable portion of the speech was devoted to Russia and a condemnation of Communism, but there was no mention of Finland. He admitted that Italy had been surprised at the Russo-German Pact in view ot Germany’s previous attitude to Russia.

LIMITED REPORTS BUT ASSERTION OF FULL CONFIDENCE. THE SPEECH IN GERMANY. (Received This Day. 10.30 a’.m.) LONDON. December 17. , Only short reports of Count Ciano’s speech have been published in Berlin. They are confined to passages favouring German policy. Press commentaries emphasise the absurdity of the Allies’ hope that Italy would allow herself to be detached from Germany.