Evening star., 1923-09-02

! demanded by the council of ambas-
I sadors.
Greece has protested to the powers
against the bombardment of Corfu
and makes the point that the Italians
opened fire at 4 o'clock In the after
noon. whereas the second ultimatum
was not to expire until o'clock
Greece also makes the point that Cor
fu was not fortified. The reports of
the casualties there vary from ten
killed or wounded to fifteen killed.
The italian navy proceeded with
the organization of Corfu in a busi-
nesslike way. Vice Admiral Simo-
netti was appointed governor and
local police who are willing to serve
were drafted into the Italian serv-
ice. This proceeding is not welcomed
with enthusiasm abroad, certainly not
In England. for while all comments,
ofticial and by the newspapers here.
with exceptions on the part of a few
liberal papers. are guarded. there Is
beneath the surface unmistakable un-
easiness regarding Mussolini's ambi-
tions, for the Italian premier is still
man of mystery abroad. 1t Is not
forgotten in England that about the
! time OF his rise to power he made a
destiny is to play far more power
ful part i'll the Mediterranean than
heretofore.
Has Foe In Grasp.
MT
hard on Mussolini's door in the pres
ent instance that he may not be able
to resist sealing Italy's domination
of the Adriatic. That is the apprehen-
sion which the Italians coup at Corfu
arouses. Mussolini has Italy's ancient
enemy in his grasp. Will he let go
| completely, in response to the wishes
of the powers. Is a question hardly
asked. but hinted. While the British
and French papers draw a parallel
between today and the events of the
summer of 1914, there is determine
ton in this country that no general
European war shall result. The British
papers express the heartiest good will
toward Italy. even those who criticize
her leader.
France appears alike with England
in carefully avoiding any step Of even
the mldest form of Intervention
which might offend Italy; their am
bassadors have not been instructed
TO make any representations to the
Italian government
Time Opportune.
This crisis arose at an opportune
time for Italy in one respect. Both
Great Britain and France want Italy's
support in dealing with the other
absor bing difficulty--the settlement
of the German reparations: both
have good reasons to refrain from
making themselves appear cool to
Italy or her real ruler. Ripples are
visible on the surface OF affairs, which
is characteristic of European poll
tics in delicate situations. and Sec
tions of the press in both Paris and
London hint that the papers of the
two capitals haven't shown an at
titude toward Italy as friendly as
they might display.
The precincts Of Downing street
give no evidence Of anything un-
usual stirring in world diplomacy
The prime minister is spending a
vacation at a French watering place
and it is said he does not intend to
curtail his vacation. Lord Curzon,
foreign secretary. Is returning to.
night from France. 1t is asserted. ac-
cording to previous plan.
Significant naval movements are re-
ported. Lieut.. Col. Amery, first lord
of the admiralty, IS proceeding to
Malta, which is the British naval base
in the Mediterranean, but he is on q
tour of inspections. combined with
vacation which he announced several
weeks ago.
Crime Forgotten.
One of the unusual features Of this
crisis is the lack of discussion Of the
crimes which brought II about: the
crime seems to have been almost for
gotten under debate Of the far-reach-
ing interest 1t precipitated.
Five thousand italian troops have
been landed on Corfu, says an Athens
dispatch to the Exchange Telegraph.
These soldiers were sent ashore from
fifteen naval vessels.
COMPLETE OCCUPATION.
|