FRENCH NORTH AFRICA

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20744, 2 March 1939, Page 7

FRENCH NORTH AFRICA

CBACK TROOPS UNDER ARMS IMPREGNABLE NAVAL BASE (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 1 It Is estimated that 140,000 crack troops are under arms in French North Africa and the reserves are enormous, says a message from Tunis. The naval base at Bizerta has been made almost impregnable. The Italian! strength in Libya is estimated at 10(J, 000 brat-class troops. A large arms cache was found in an Italian school at Maxula Rades, near Tunis. The school was immediately closed and was occupied by troops. EXPULSION OF JOURNALISTS REPRISALS BY FRANCE PROTEST TO THE VATICAN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 1. 1 p.m.) PARIS. Feb. 28 It is understood that as a reprisal Tfor the expulsion of journalists from /Italy on February 26 the authorities have warned Signor Monelli. Paris correspondent of the Corriere del Lasera, to prepare to quit France. There are 40 Italian journalists in Paris compared with half a dozen Frenchmen in 'Rome. Some of their reports are regarded as inexcusable. The Foreign Office has drawn the attention of the Vatican authorities to the obstacles which French journalists are encountering from the Italian Government in securing telephone and wireless facilities during the Conclave and the refusal to allow many foreign Journalists to enter Italy, thus preventing them from reaching the Vatican. ITALIANS IN CORSICA FEW DESIRE TO LEAVE SMALL PROPORTION OFFERS AnnJtad press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LIONDON, March .1 Two Italian liners arrived at Bastia, Corsica, to take off Italians willing to be repatriated, but only 710 of the 20,000 Italians in Corsica presented themselves, in spite of the presence of Count Ciano’s brother to supervise the proceedings. At Ajaccio only 217 turned up .of 400 Italians who should have returned to Italy to-day. AFRICAN TERRITORIES OPPOSITION TO RETURN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) BULAWAYO, Feb. 2§ A conference of the All Africa and Colonial Associations decided to form a federation to oppose the return of mandated territories to Germany.