THREAT BY THE SOVIET

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20503, 20 May 1938, Page 7

THREAT BY THE SOVIET

RAPPROCHEMENT WITH GERMANY IF REPUBLICAN SPAIN ABANDONED FRANCE CAN ASSURE INVIOLABILITY OF FRONTIERS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 20, 11.30 a.m.) \ PARIS, May 19 The l’Poque states that the Soviet Ambassador has issued a demarche threatening that if France abandons the Spanish Republicans Russia will seek a rapprochement with Germany. M. Daladier has issued a statement to the press that the Government will punish the dissemination of false rumours. He gave as an instance the recent announcement that a certain foreign country (believed to be Germany) was mobilising and another (Italy) had issued an ultimatum to France. These rumours were not always disinterested. “The Franco-British entente,” said M. Daladier, “threatens nobody. On the contrary, it serves European peace. Under any circumstances France is capable of assuring the inviolability of her frontiers.”

BRITAIN AND ITALY

CONVERSATIONS IN ROME A REVIEW WITH RELATIONS EFFECT OF LEAGUE DISCUSSION (Official Wireless) (Received May 20, 11 a.in.) RUGBY, May 19 It is understod that Lord Perth and Count Ciano reviewed the state of Anglo-ltalian relations in a conversation in Rome in tne light of what passed at Geneva during the recent meetings of the Council of the League of Nations. Lord Perth also expressed the desire of the British Government to see satisfactory progress made in the conversations which began some time ago between the Italian and French Governments. OPINION IN FRANCE A THREAT TO UNITY THE AIMS OF MUSSOLINI United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright PARIS, May 19 The French press unanimously underlines the threat to the AngloTlalian agreement in the hitch in the Franco-Jtalian negotiations. Le Petit Journal says that if Germany and Italy do not recognise the cheif aim of non-intervention by Britain and France Is to let.the' Span!-' ards settle their own problem, then the Anglo-Italian agreement will be a dead letter. Le Populaire says that having obtained satisfaction in London and Geneva over Abyssinia, Signor Mussolini wants to win the second round in Spain by playing on disagreement between Britain and France.

SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS BRITAIN CANNOT BE PASSIVE XHE DILEMMA OF FRANCE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, May 19 Anxiety over the course of ItaloFrench relations is based on the conviction that II Duce is attempting to drive a wedge between Britain and France, under which Britain cannot be passive. It Is considered that If Britain Joins the French against the dictators, rendering the Angloltalian agreement not worth the paper It Is written on, Mr Chamberlain will have to face an outcry to the effect that Mr Eden was right, which might be a fatal blow to the Government. France's dilemma is equally seriousHer Government is not. strong, and it cannot close the Pyrenees frontier because of pressure from the Left, while pressure from the Right prevents increased intervention. Moreover. if the Government falls there is little prospect of a stronger one, although if at tempts should be made to close the frontier such action will be followed by street disturbances and stay-in strikes. Meanwhile, arms and aeroplanes are now reaching General Franco in such a way that it is impossible for the non-intervention officials to check • them. Mussolini’s Irritation Signor Mussolini’s irritation is ascribed to four reasons: The Italian public’s lack of enthusiasm for Herr Hitler's visit to Rome; he feels that in spile of the Anglo-ltalian agreement sections or the British press are still antagonistic to Italy; he is angry because the Spanish Government has not yet fallen; and finally, he is annoyed at the speech of the American Secretary of State for War expressing hostility to dictators. Signor Mussolini's Genoa speech is one of the most menacing he has yet delivered, says the diplomatic correspondent of the Manchester Guardian. He threatens the western Powers with disaster, not only as an attempt to drive a wedge between Britain and France, but as a demonstration of the renewed GermanItalian solidarity and his firm resolve to secure a victory for General Franco and establish German and Italian power permanently in Spain. The speech imperils the Anglo-ltalian (Continued m previous column)

agreement, which is meaningless unless the Italians withdraw from Spain. Excuse For II Duce Certain British quarters attempt to excuse II Duce's action by saying he must be certain of a victory for General Franco before he can dissolve the Berlin-Rome axis. This is entirely disingenuous, but there is reason to fear he will use it not only to Justify his speech to cover Intensified Italo-German intervention, i which may even become quite # open. I

ITALY’S DESIRE