ITALIANS IN LYBIA

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20733, 17 February 1939, Page 7

ITALIANS IN LYBIA

STRENGTH OF THE GARRISON AGREEMENT NOT FULFILLED INQUIRIES BY BRITAIN (United Press A*sn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 16 Official circles in Rome are most reticent as to a possible speech by Signor Mussolini at Turin on Sunday. Heretofore it was believed that he would make an important declaration on home and foreign affairs, but the death of the Pope and the occupation of Minorca are believed to have changed his plans. The British Ambassador at Rome, the Bari of Perth, has within the last few days had conversations with the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano. on the strength of the Italian garrison in Libya. The Anglo-It&lian Agreement contained a communication to the effect that the Italian Government intended to reduce its forces in Libya to peace time level. Count Ciano informed Lord Perth that actually the forces had been reduced to the level referred to, but recently they had been supplemented again. This was stated to be due to increases in the French forces in Tunisia. Count Ciano stated that it was the intention of the Italian Government to reduce its forfces later if, and when, conditions again became normal.

The inquiry was made by Lord Perth under the terms of the Anglo-Italian Ag. cement relating to the exchange of ns'litary information.