"ITALY ON THE BRINK”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1940, Page 5

"ITALY ON THE BRINK”

DISCUSSION IN BRITAIN REMINDERS TO MUSSOLINI. FOLLY OF JOINING HANDS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, May 2. Following yesterday’s meeting in Rome between the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, and the British Charge d’Affaires, and between the American Ambassador, Mr Phillips, and Signor Mussolini. Mr Phillips this morning saw Count Ciano. Several British newspapers discuss the Italian situation today, and two of them, the “Manchester Guardian” and the “Glasgow Herald,” have the same heading on their leading articles, namely, “Italy on the Brink.” The newspapers agree that the remarkable language used recently, both by the Italian Press and Italian politicians, cannot be regarded as anything else but threatening, but they are loath to believe that Signor Mussolini can take the final plunge into war. The “Manchester Guardian” asks: “What will Signor Mussolini gain for Italy by the acceptane of the Nazi principle of violence? What will her pride and independence be worth?” The “News Chronicle” makes the same point. If Herr Hitler won the war, it says, Italy would be completely at the mercy of the Nazis. If Signoi’ Mussolini led.ltaly into war with Britain and France, it would be the worst day for Italy, the paper adds. BLACKOUT IN MALTA MALTA, May.2. A blackout has been ordered and will begin tonight. AMERICAN AMBASSADOR CALL ON COUNT CIANO. (Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.) ROME, May 2. The United States Ambassador called on Count Ciano, at the latter’s request today, for further exchange of views and information. REPORTED ASSURANCE NO AGGRESSION INTENDED ON YUGOSLAVIA. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 2. The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says it is reliably stated that Count Ciano informed the United States Ambassador that Yugoslavia is safe from Italian aggression.