ITALY’S NON-INTERVENTION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20908, 13 September 1939, Page 8

ITALY’S NON-INTERVENTION

CONTACTS WITH GERMANY MUSSOLINI MAY OFFER TO MEDIATE A ATTITUDE OF ALLIED POWERS TO NEUTRALITY (United Press Assn.—Elee. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 13, 3.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 12 The Rome correspondent of the New York Times states the Britain and France are not expected to press Italy for a declaration of neutrality at present, hut will accept her official stand of non-intervention in the European war. It is said the time is not ripe for British and French diplomacy to make such a step, especially since Italy is adhering rigidly to a non-intervention policy. The English Ambassador, Sir P. Lorraine, conferred with Count Ciano, allegedly on “affairs arising from Italy’s present position in the European conflict”—namely, the economic aspects inherent in Italy’s freedom of action. The non-belligerent contacts between Rome and Berlin, which are occurring daily, lead to the belief that another diplomatic move may be forthcoming in which Signor Mussolini will mediate between Germany and the democracies. It is certain that Signor Mussolini, however, will refuse unless he sees a possibility of concrete results.