Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-27


the world for the seven days
ended February 20:
Great Britain.-The British govern
ment has sent to the Russian govern
ment a sharp note of protest, lnVitlns
attention to continuous breach by
Russia of the Russo-Britlsh traoe
agreement. particularly in respect c.
anti.R british activities (propagandist
and other) in China and in connec-
tion with the British coal strike. The
note ends thus:
1.-The British government cohsioer
it necessary to warn the Union Oh 20.
Wet Socialist Republics in the graves.
terms that there are limits peyono
u,bicb II is dangerous to drive public
oninion i'm this country and that con-
tinuance of such acts as are mere
comnlained of must sooner or later
render inevitable the abrogation OF
the trade agreement, the stipulatlons
of which have been so fiagrantly Vlo-
Ia ted. and even the severance or or
binary diplomatic relations
Italy.-Following like acton by the
French government, the Italian gov
eminent has replied unfavoraoiy 10
President Coolidge's memorandum
suggesting that the governments OF
the United States. Great Britain
France. Italy and Japan empower their
delegates at the forthcoming meetlng
| at Geneva of the preparatory disar-
mament commission, Ito negotiate
and conclude at an early date an
| aqreement further limiting naval ar
| maments. supplementing the Wash
ington treaty on that subject and Gov
ering the classes of vessels not Gov
cred by that treaty.
like the French note, but with Less
| stress. the Italian note declares that
| the question of further limitation OF
| naval ornaments ought not to be dis
| sociated from questions relating 70
| land and air ornaments, and tna'
| limitation should apply to all powers
| possessing navies cfurther measures
applying to five great naval powers
| onlv" are not to be desired). recalling
| in the latter connection that the
F., example of Washington has not been
accented by the smaller powers and
that fhe conference held in Rome In
| 1924 with a. view to extending the
principles of the Washington treaty
| 70 movers non-signatory thereto die
not meet with success.
With what significance you please
| (Mussolini Is generally thought tt
lack enthusiasm for the League)
| Mussolini omits mention of the
/ League of Nations. (Solicitude lesl
i the procedure urged by Presiden'
Coolidge should prejudice the author
ity of the League was the main con
sideration urged in the French note
There was about the French note OF
refusal a certain philosophic air O
disinterestedness. Not so OF I'M
Italian note, which is chiefly remark
able for the engaging frankness witt
which it urges considerations pecu
liar to Italy.
The Italian government believes
that there are peculiar and powerful
geographical considerations to justif,
it's refusal to acquiesce in Presiden
Coolidge's Suggestion" Attention II
invited to Italy's enormously Ions
coastline. with populous cities ant
vital centers at short distances from
it," her 1.-TWO large islands tSicily ant
!. Sardinia) and the Dodecanese Arch
pelago, bound to the peninsula b.
lines Of vital traffic; her -four i'm
portant colonies, two of which Qcr1tre'
, and Somaliland) are beyond the Sue
. Canal: her dependence for supple
on unimpeded navigation through tn
. Straits Of Gibraltar. the Suez Cana
and the Dardanelles. Italy mus
frame her naval policy with referenc
to those "other states mo doub
| France is particularly glanced al
which are in peculiarly favorable pc
sition for threatening her essentia
; lines Of communication or which hav
under construction many naval unit
} of various types or are collaborating
Lnaval programs Of great importance.