THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 14, 1989.
NO DOUBT, LEFT
OF
BRITAIN'S INTENTIONS
LONDON, TO-DAY.
"HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT FEEL THEY HAVE BOTH A DUTY AND A SERVICE TO PERFORM BY LEAVING NO DOUBT IN THE MIND OF ANYBODY: AS TO THEIR POSITION,” DECLARED THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN, IN THE COURSE OF HIS STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL PO- SITION IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS YESTERDAY.
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Mr. Chamberlain continued: "I therefore take the opportunity of saying that His Majesty's Gov- ernment attach the greatest importance to the avoidance of disturbances by threats of force or threats to the status quo in the Mediterran- ean and the Balkan Peninsula. "Consequently they have come to the conclusion that in the event of any action which clearly threatened the independence of Greece or Rumania, and which the Greek and Rumanian Governments, respectively, consider vital to re- sist by their national forces, His Majesty's Gov- ernment would feel themselves bound at once to lend the Greek and Rumanian Governments all the support in their power." (Cheers). "We are communicating this declaration to the Governments directly concerned and to others. "I understand the French Government is making a
similar declaration. "The Dominion Governments, evacuation of Italian 'volunteers' as always, are being continually from Spain." informed of all developments.
"I only want to ådd one or two observations.
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GOERING SPEEDS UP ROME VISIT
Rome, To-day. Field Marshal · Hermann Goer- ing will, according to an officia! announcement, arrive in Rome from Tripoll to-day at 8 p.m. for an official visit.
The Field Marshal and Frau Goering will stay in Rome until. Sunday.
Goering will have several cons versations with Mussolini and Count Ciano and will be received in audience by the King.
Goering's original plans did not contemplate: a. Rome visit until next week.--Trans-Ocean.
TO TUNIS! TO CORSICA!
Rome, To-day.
Addressing a crowd of 45,000 in the Piazza Venezia after the meeting of the Fascist Grand Coun- cil last night, Mussolini said that recent events were an expression of Italian will, faith and strength.
"The world is begged to leave us alone in our great daily task."
These words were greeted with shouts To Tunis! To Corsica!"
Reuter.
of Corfu.
The Italian charge d'affaires in London told our Foreign Secretary that the report was absolutely in- correct, and gave an assurance that this was not the policy of Musso- lini."
NO MISUNDERSTANDING
welcoming Lord Halifax, while the assurance, said-It was absolute- ly vital that there be no misunder- standing, between the two Govern- ments on this point.
Mr. Chamberlain, continuing, said: "Later on the same day the Italian charge d'affaires called with a message from Mussolini and gave a renewed assurance that Italy in- tended to respect the territorial and insular integrity of Greece..
"This particular story (respect- make ourselves strong and defending Corfu) has now been discredit- ed, yet said on a previous occa- in siding with those who, if faced got one confidence has been by aggression or the threatened shaken it is not, easily re-establish- loss of their freedom, decide to Mr. Chamberlain said that dur-resist."
ourselves but also to play our part
ing the course of recent exchanges. “WISHES” OF ALBANIA
they had been informed that the
Mr. Chamberlain described vari-
ed."-Reuter.
human
· INTOLERABLE POSITION In conclusion, Mr. Chamberlain "So far as I am concerned, no Italians would be withdrawn after ous communications made by Lord spoke of how intolerable was a state of international affairs which thing that has happened has al the Madrid victory parade.
The Government had taken due Perth (our Ambassador in Rome) kept the whole world in a contin- tered my conviction that the po-
of these assurances... The to Count Ciano (Italian Foreign ually recurring series of alarms, licy of His Majesty's Government | note
blighted commerce - and industry, in signing the Anglo-Italian Government had always regarded Minister).
Lord Perth communicated the depressed social conditions and Agreement a year ago was 'right, the withdrawal of Italian "volun-
teers" from Spain as a vital ele-state of British feeling over Al-poisoned every phase of (Cheers):
ment of the Anglo-Italian Agree bania, and Count Ciano, in an eva- activity.
sive reply when pressed to state Events of which the British ment..
Italy's intentions, said "These will Government had had cause to com- depend upon the wishes of the Al-plain in the past, and which again banian people.”
they had to condemn to-day, could Mr. Chamberlain told how we had not have failed to stir the minds received Information that. Italy in-and consciences of all people. tended to occupy the Greek island British Wireless.
"I do not say that in order to raise a controversy, but in order to avoid misunderstanding of my present attitude.
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LONG PATIENCE "We have exercised patience for DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED a long period in spite of many dis- "I frankly confess deep disturbances in our efforts to remove appointment over the action of suspicion, promote. goodwill and the Italian Government.
keep the peace, and I am unwilling to believe that these efforts will not bear fruit..
"No doubt some will say we shall now declare the Anglo- Italian Agreement to be con- sidered at an end, but I do not take that view.
"Nobody with a sense of res- ponsibility in these days will lightly do anything which would lead to increased international tension.
་ཎཱ
"I hope members will not assume that because I have not mentioned Russia, we are not keeping in close touch with the representatives of Russia.
"We have a very difficult task to perform. We have to consider not only what we wish but also what other people are willing to do,
"I believe therefore that there is widespread desire to see the fulfilment of the provisions of that Agreement, and naturally, in view of the recent events, it is to the Italian Government that I look for of our abil practical evidence that they share that désira. (Chears).
TTALY'S PROMISE
"I ask the House to believe that without any prejudice, without any preconceived ~idtalogical notions, we see endeavouring to the utmost al the forces ace. RESOLUTION
*that we resolation not only to
"Reference has been made to the stiffen
thi
must
Going Away?
CONFULT AMERICAN LLOYD, LTD.
Italy And Germany Firm And Unrepentant
London, To-day.:
First reaction in Rome and Berlin to Mr. Neville Chamber- lain's statement appears to show that Italy and her Axis partner stand firm and unrepentant.
The guarantee to Rumania has been well received in Buch- arest where exclamations of "Bravo" are heard on all sides. Opinion in Budapest (the arian capital) is that the statement neither.... esses nor the International which it
The declaration also attacks alleged British propaganda me- thods.
Italian political circles, bas ing their view on summarised reports of the statement, hold that Mr. Chamberlain recognis- ed the fact that Albania did not constitute a breach of the Anglo-Italian Agreement so long as this was "properly in- terpre
The same observation is made in Rome - regarding the Medi-
status quo.
aberlain's claim that is part of the ‚ls disputed - in scepticismi prevails.
capacity to inge