ITALIAN CLAIMS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20730, 14 February 1939, Page 7

ITALIAN CLAIMS

SIGNOR MUSSOLINI’S SILENCE LAST-MINUTE CHANGE OF PLANS AWAITING FRANCO'S VICTORY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 13 A spokesman for Signor Mussolini, when issuing the communique of the Fascist Grand Council, admitted that he had been expecting Jl Puce to make a pronouncement after participating in the secret military deliberations, in spite of the fart that a public speech on such an occasion is unprecedented. The spokesman, however, did not offer any explanation of the lastminute change of plan. Probably Signor Mussolini decided that it was inopportune officially l<> pre? s expansion claims against France until the final stages of General Franco's victory in Spain are complete and Italy jp thus in a stronger bargaining position., Herr Hitler’s Opinion Moreover. Herr Hitler feels that he has lost the most recent round of speech-making. The Britiish Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain, in bis speech at Birmingham on January 28 gave the impression that he was determined above all things to continue to strive for appeasement. Herr Hitler, in his Reichstag speech on January 30, refrained from his usual aggressive, outburst. Then followed Mr Chamberlain's firmer declaration in the House, of Commons on January 31, when he stated: “It is useless to embark ori discussions aiming at a general settlement unless the atmosphere is favourable and unless we are convinced that all attending want a peaceable settlement and have no sinister ideas in their minds." This angered Herr Hitler, who prob ably persuaded Sicnor Mussolini to await a more favourable moment to pursue his demands against France. It is expected that Signor Mussolini’s next speech will be at Turin od February 19.