Evening star., 1928-11-18
NEW PACT MAY ASSURE
FRANCO-ITALIAN PEACE
Entente Embracing Britain and Germany
Considered Possible Result, Thus
Stabilizing Europe.

brought matters to the latest conclusion,
for Great Britain controls the Medi-
tcrranean and without British support
Italian diplomacy is almost helpless.
Agree on Six Points.
OF 10 points of difference, six now
seem to have been settled The status
of 800, 900 Italian emigres in Frcr.cn
was regulated by the modus vivendi of
December. 1927. Stringent measures
have been taken by the French police
to prevent anti-I:ascist plotting and
propaganda on French soil. A new COM
mercial treaty was promulgated last
March. Negotiations with France,
Great Britain and Spain resulted in
the long-desired admittance of Italy to
the international administration Of
Tangiers.
The latest agreements concern the
Lybian frontier and TuniS. France, 1t
is reported. will cede vast territories
and important cases in the Thibesti
area to Italy, and the latter will aban-
don its claim to extend the Lybian
frontiers away to Lake Tchad. The
grants in Tunisia by the 1896 accord
will be maintained, but the children
of later emigrants, if they continue to
live there, will be considered French.
Four questions remain. First is AbyS-
sinia. 1t is believed France may ratify
the AngloItalian treaty tending to
Gtvide AbysSinia into spheres of influ-
e2ce after the new Franco-Italian
tEaaty of friendship is published. Second
Is the question of mandate for Italy.
France and Great Britain intimate they
are willing to consider any definite claim
for a mandate which Italy cares to put
g.. @s.,I l. -,
question. Italy has been extremely
active in the eastern part of that ocean.
It's tonnage even exceeds Great Britain's
in Turkish waters and the Black Sea.
Its schools in the Near East and the
/ Balkans, especially the new college at
Rhodes, rival the older French and
American missionary colleges.
Pans in Asia "-inor.
| 1t IS trying to replace France as ira
| ditional protector Of the Roman Cath
| olicS in Asia Minor. In view of these
/ facts. there is tendency to recognize
| French interests as Dredominating in
| the Western and italian interests as
predominating in the Eastern Medi5er-
ranean. with Great Britain holding the
balance. Apparently, however, there is
no question for the present c France
/ CPQlIR lIle OyTldIl IldUudLe tO 1Ldiys
| The fourth question involves the Adri-
attic and the Balkans. 1t is believed
| that after the Franco-Italian treaty is
concluded an agreement between Jugo-
slavia and Italy will be much easier.
| A formula remains to be found whereby
France and Italy can share and cor
relate the great influence each wields
in Balkan affairs.
Not the least interesting factor in
the FTanco-Italian rapprochement Is
the close moral contact which is being
sought. Last June 65 French bankers
and business men we're invited to tour
Milan. Turin and Rome by the Italian
government, and were received by Die
tator MusSolini and the King. When
Gen. Diaz died France sent Marshal
Petain to his funeral. A few days ago
the Nice-Turin Railway was inaugu-
rated with fitting ceremonies. celebrat-
ing not only the remarkable tunnel un-
der the Alps but Franco-Italian anity
Andre Tordieu. French minister of pub
lie works, dwelt upon the need for
friendship between the two peoples
Signor Guiriati, Italian minister OF
public works, standing on French soil
declaimed of two neighborly and
friendly governments with "the same
peaceful ideal" All this strikes a new
and promising note in Franco-Italian
relations.
(Copyright, 1921