The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-30
Italy And Spain Form An Economic Coalition With Equal Advantages To Both Mediterranean Nations
 ITALY GETS COAL, IRON; SPAIN MANUFACTURES France Is Frankly Alarmed, As Africa Holds Interests She Wants To Protect, As 1t Does For Other Two
By OTIS PEABODY SWIFT Leased Wire To The AGe-Hcrald

tIeaSed Wire To The Age-bcrald)
 NEW YORK, Nov. 29.-while world attention has been fixed on the tri- angular struggle between London, Parts and Berlin. significant develop ments have transpired on the shores of the Mediterranean, which, ulti- mately, may make the inland ocean the seat of new struggle for Eu- ropean dominance.
 Italy and Spain. which between them, command the most strategic points of the ancient world trade lane to the east. have drawn to- eether in a close economic pact which, leaders indicate, may lead to joint military cooperation.
 France is frankly anxious her inspired journalists openly discuss the Italo- Spanish combination as a nothing, but has much at stake.
 Actuated by the burning flame of fascismo, the peoples of both Italy and Spain are now dreaming brave dreams of national destiny.
 The greater powers have ignored them. Even populous Italy has been the tail of the dog when world pow CTS met at Geneva or in inter allied conferences. Italy has felt humilia- ton and anger at the scant consid- eration received from allied capi- tals. Spain, meanwhile, has been out of the picture entirely.
 Economic Pact Achieved.
 Mussolini, working for the greater power he hit at when he seized Corfu, has turned to fascist Spain. Primo Rivera. equally picturesque advocate Of nationalisn, welcomed him. Fascist dictators pulled the strings, and King Alfonso sailed to visit Rome. The economic pact was achieved
 By this convention Italy will get coal and Iron, the want of whicn Spain gets manufactured goods. cheap shipments from nearby power, instead of uncertain cargoes of disorganized Germany.
 But the great significance lies in the military strength of the new and Italian navies, united, could make goodly showing against France. They could dominate the Mediterranean, except for England 8 Malta and Gibraltar bases.
 Italys traditional policy has been 10 remain "on the fence" in Euro pean politics. It will be remembered that Italy did not rush to join the allies in 1914 Now her attitude toward Germany follows the English policy of conciliation.
 O O c
 Cordially DisIiISes France.
 Officially, Italy expresses few opinions about her neighbors. but unoffcially Rome cordially dislil1es France It is rather a mutual dis like, based on many feuds of his tory. much unforgotten trickery of mediaeyal courts.
 Across the waters of the Mediter- ranean lies Africa. France, Italy and Spain hold colonial empires there. France, in particular, is in- tent on developing Africa to supply her with foodstuffs and fighting men. Italy wants to expand in the African zone. to provide homes and employment for her surplus popula- ton. Spain, too, has her stake in Africa.
 Imperial dreams clash. The secret of power is dominance of the sea anes The relatively unimportant port of Tangiers is in the limelight. A conference on the question is un- dcrway. Britain charges that France exerting undue influence In a zone which was to be internationalized after the World war. The secret of the Tangiers agitation is that Tan ciers. 3S miles from Gibraltar, mi ght menace the British stronghold if 1t fell into French hands.
 Today Italy and Spain, united, see possibilities of controlling the sea ways. France sees new danger on her flank. England sees potential Mediterranean disorders that menace the route to India. Two Kings shake hands; treaty is promul- gated. There is much confusion in the busy foreign offices. And be- hind the scenes the dictators are at work,