The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-12-31

the inclusion of Tunis in Italy's colonial pos
sessions. The position of the Italians in
Tunis is clearly defined by the treaty of
1896, under which they retain their status
quo This treaty however, is renewable every
three years. By numerous naturalizations,
often also by the employment of means of COM
pulsion, France has endeavored to promote
the sale of landed property to Poles and
Yugoslavians in order to bring the Italians
into minority. The Italians who are settled
in Tunis are now demanding fresh settle
ment of their position. In place of the Treaty
of 1896 they desire the conclusion of long
term treaty permitting the Italians, in re-
latively short space of time, to become the
real masters. In addition, Italy has de-
manded, and obtained, participation in the
administration of Tangier.
The fascist lust for power extends beyond
the area of the Mediterranean and the Red
Sea- The "Tribuna" wrote in this connection
that Italy cannot permit a big western power
to set up a system of small States on its
eastern frontier.
In fact it is precisely in the Balkans that
the struggle between these two imperlallst
powers assumes its sharpest form. Since
1919 France has been endeavoring to create
in the Balkans an anti-German bloc out OF
the States which have arisen since the war.
One of these powers is Yugoslavia, which is
striving after Salonika and the Aegean Sea,
and thereby threatening the intentions of
Italy in this sphere. Italy is attempting to
shatter the Little Entente which France con-
siders to be necessary for the maintenance
of the present situation in the Balkans Italy
is negotiating in Rumania with Averescu, so
France favors Bratianu against Averescu, to
which Italy will reply by supporting king
Carol against Bratianu.
When Italy seeks to gain foothold IN
Greece, then France incites the movement
against Pangalos. If France attempts to ap-
proach Sofia and Belgrade Italy allies itself
with Protogerov with the so-called auto
nomists who exercise their terror in Yugo-
slavian Macedonia. The Abanian-ltalan
Treaty of Tirana, concluded in 1926, was re-
piled to by the Franco Yugoslavian Treaty of
18th November, 1927.
The conclusion of the FrancO-British naval
agreement has increased the grounds of the
Franco-Italian antagonism. Yesterday the
British Foreign Office was still the patron OF
Italy in the latter's undertakings in the Bal
kans; today London and Paris are uniting
against the Macedonians, who are allied with
Mussolini. Yesterday England and France
regarded each others colonial territories with
mutual distrust; today they are meeting the
Italian endeavors with united forces. Poin-
care demands in Parliament the granting OF
a further 1000 millions for the militarJ
budget accuses Italy of imperialism and de-
clares that France will not give up its Syrian
mandate.
From this constellation there follows
clearly the policy which the Communists
must pursue. They reject anti-ltalian chau-
vinism. as advocated by the socialist leaders.
The Franco-Italan antagonisms are not based
on the opposition of democracy to fascism, or
vice versa Two equally hateful imperlallst
powers are fighting each other: two powers
which in the same manner are preparing
fresh imperiaist robber-war. 1t is the task
of the Communists of both countries to combat
in the first place the imperialism in their own
country. The Communists Party of France
is pursuing the policy of the common fight
of the French and Italian workers against I'M
perialism, which suppresses the colonial peo-
pies and the national minorities. 1t calls for
active support of the suppressed colonial peo-
pies and the national minorties; it is fighting
for the defense of the right of asylum, for
the defense of the Soviet Union. and for the
united front of the French and Italian work
ers in the revolutionary struggle.
(Rv G. Peri Foreiqn Editor of L'Huntanite, official
orqan of the Communist PARTY of Frdnce.)