Evening star., 1924-12-10
Chamberlain and Mussolini
Believed to Have Discussed
United Action.
MEDITERRANEAN NAVAL
AGREEMENT FORESEEN
Spanish Position in Africa Is Be-
hlnd-Scenes Topic-Pope Re
ceives Delegates.
~ HIRAM K. MODERWELL.

Bl HIRAM K. MODERWELL.
Gy Wireless to The Star and Chicago Daily
NeHs
ROME. December I0.-"United ac-
tlon' by Italy. Great Britain and
france against internal bolshevist
agitation is the topic of the day here
as a result of Foreign Minister Aus
ten Chamberlain's recent conversa-
ton with Premier Mussolini. Sources
close to the government insist that
TINS subject was undoubtedly dis
cussed by the Italian and British for
eign ministers, and that concrete
measures are now being taken br
the police of the nations concerned
Fascist Italy hailed the recent
British elections as a moral indorse-
ment of MussolinFs conservative
policy. The Baldwin government is
regarded as a natural ally of Italy
in the struggle against international
radicalism. Facist Italy also asserts
that Premier Herriot's radical gov
ernment in France must now realize
the seriousness of the Communist
propa ganda, which the policy Of the
French Socialists encouraged.
May Agree on Refugees.
1t is noted that the French police
in the course of the last few days
have arrested numerous Italian Com
munistS living in France and have
sent them back to Italy. 1t is eX-
pected that the united front will
result in an agreement to exchange
information concerning refugee radi
Gals and to extradite those charged
with criminal offenses.
-
fact that Italy never suggests that
the Russian Soviet government is
supporting the alleged bolshevist prop
aganda. The government authori-
ties insist that the Russian behavior
here has been correct and that 1tal-
ian relations with Moscow are cordial
1t is also considered certain that
Mussolini must have broached the
question of Italy's position as a Medi-
terranean naval power. Although
Great Britain certainly would veto
any specific deals concerning spheres
of influence in the Mediterranean. it
must always consider the protection
of its naval route TO India via the
Suez Canal. An entente on this basis
has long been the dream of Italian
politicians. While no deal has been
made concerning concrete spheres OF
naval activity official Italy hopes that
the ussolini-Cha mberlain converse
ton has facilitated an understanding
by which Great Britain will appreciate
Italy's peculiar position in the Medi-
terranean.
u. 8. Acceptance Pleases.
Much satisfaction was expressed in
league circles over the American note
accepting the leagues invitation to
attend the conference next March on
the Limitation of the arms and muni-
tions traffic. 1t is understood that the
United States does not consider the
question of the manufacture of munl-
tions a proper topic for this confer
ence. but 1t is hoped that her hrst
step will lead to a second.
The sessions of the league councli
have again revealed that the topic OF
prevention of war by arbitration IS
very much alive. Aristide BRAND Tor
France said that the Geneva peace
protocol which has been accepted by
his country and many other nations
will be on the program of the next
council meeting i'll March.
While it is generally supposed that
Great Britain and Italy are unfavor-
able to the principle of compulsory
arbitration of international disputes,
it is clear that the idea has taken
such a hold upon the European peo-
pies that the governments dare not
veto il even if they wish to do 50.
The discussion concerning the limita-
ton of armsments related only to the
question of procedure, but it showed
respect for the popular demand for
military demobilization.
Spanish Rif Discussed.
An agreement for succession to the
Spanish Riff is being discussed here
= btr ipIn
assembled for the League of Nations
session. Though the topic is not yet
ripe" for a formal agreement, it is
probable that a preliminary under
standing is already being arrived at.
France is the chief candidate. hav-
ing Great Britain's conditional con-
sent. If France were to be selected,
Italy would demand compensations
elsewhere on the Mediterranean.
Beginning today. all delegates to
the council of the League of Nations
will be received individually by the
Pope. Even the special emissaries
of Austria and Danzig, who have
made their reports. to the council on
their territories, are being received.
Though the Vatican states that
these audiences have a strictly pri
vate character. it is regarded as in
evitable that the conversation there
tions which particularly touch the
Vatican's spiritual interests.
Chamberlain Sees Pope.
1t is considered significant that be-
fore he received Austen Chamberlain
today, the Pope talked with Mgr.
Maglione. the apostolic nuncio, who
presented to the League of Nations
the Vaticans proposal that it be
eiyeH the CUSTODY of the holy places in
Palestine.
Mr. CamberlaiDs visit with the
Pope lasted 20 minutes. Little cere-
mony was made of 1t. but the British
foreign secretary was constantly sur
rounded by a battery of English and
Italian detectives until he was inside
the Vatican doors. This was to pre-
vent his assa ssination, attempts at
which have been feared from the
Egyptian nationalists.
Later, the secretary spent 10 min
utes with Cardinal Gasparri.