OVERTURES TO ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1940, Page 5

OVERTURES TO ITALY

FRANCE SEEKING PEACE IN MEDITERRANEAN M. REYNAUD’S DECLARATION. UNDERSTANDING DESIRED. 3y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PARIS. April 20. The Prime .Minister. 31. Reyna ml, told the Foreign Affairs Committee' that France would continue to seek an equitable regulation of all pending questions with Italy in the hope of reaching a .Mediterranean Entente. France had informed Italy that she was prepared to seek an equitable settlement by friendly exchanges. These overtures were without result, but despite the attitude the Italian Government had taken up. it had not changed the disposition of the French Govern-, ment. He added that apart from all ideological considerations, France would continue to seek a Mediterranean understanding with Italy and Spain which was an indispensable basis for peace. TERSE & HOSTILE ITALIAN PRESS REPLY TO MR. CROSS. ALLEGED INCITEMENT. LONDON, April 19. The first reference in the Italian Press to the speech of the British Minister of Economic Warfare, Mr. R. Cross, is terse and hostile. Reuter says that the tone of the Press suggests that the speech was a direct incitement to Italy to enter the war. The “Popolo d'ltalia” says that Signor Mussolini may choose the day and manner of Italy's intervention. Neutrality was unsatisfactory to the people if it forced Italy to accept the role of “a big little Power.” The paper adds that Italian ships are forbidden to sail between Italian ports and Massawa and Trieste without encountering a vexatious blockade which is insulting to Italian pride and independence. (Continued on page 2.) WAR & PLUNDER DECLARATION OF FASCIST IDEALS. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) ROME. April 21. Signor Mussolini, in a short speech on the anniversary of the foundation of Rome, said: "The watchword is labour and arms.” Signor Ansaldo, in the course of a further speech, said: “The armed forces of Italy are ready for action at any moment. Entire peoples are staking their forces and resources on the present war, because the vanquished cannot delude themselves regarding’ their fate. They will be expropriated and impoverished. The victors will monopolise the world's resources. Nothing will prevent them acting otherwise. Italy will be among the victors only if she is really strong.”