SETTING LIMITS TO THE WAR.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 March 1940, Page 4

SETTING LIMITS TO THE WAR.

ACCORDING Io Hie Rome correspondent of the “New York Times,’’ the Italian Foreign Minister (Count C'iano) undoubtedly told the American envoy, Mr Sunnier Welles, who has sailed on his return to the United States, after telling interviewers “I have nothing Io say,” that “an important understanding between Italy, Germany and Russia, could be expected within a fortnight recording a decision that I lie war must be localised and not spread to Hie Balkans and lhe Mediterranean.’’ It must, on Ihe whole be hoped that this pari ieiilar report is well-founded, since if would imply not only that Germany has failed in her latest effort to induce Italy to take an active part in the war against the Allies, but that she has been informed once again that Italy would oppose l any move by Germany or Russia fo extend the war info the Balkans. There is no question of tin* Allies seeking to precipitate war in the Balkans or elsewhere in the Near or Middle Cast, but they strongly snspeel that tin l totalitarian Stales, s’ingly or in combination. may <-onleniplale doing so. Against lii.-it contingency the Allies have made preparations and are prepared to take strong counter-measures. An agreement )>y Um totalitarian Stales not Io extend the war Io the Balkans and the Mediterranean is. however, one in which the Allies; no doubt would acquiesce gladly.