Evening star., 1936-06-23
AnglO.Italian Deal.

Although Foreign Secretary Eden told
the House OF Commons on Monday that
Great Britain does not recognize Italy's
annexation of Ethiopia an Anglo-Italian
accord comprehending Northern Africa
and the Mediterranean region is in
process of negotiation. Steps leading to
1t have reached such a circumstantial
stage that they are now described as
having been powerful inducement to
the London government to take the
lead in the abolition of League sanctions.
Rome dispatches detail the outstanding
features of the projected agreement. It
will assure continued British naval su-
prenacy in the Mediterranean. The
Italian fleet will be split into three large
units or squadrons, only one of which
will be stationed near waters of special
British interest. The two other Fascist
fleets would make their headquarters in
the Upper Adriatic. AS an offset to this
guarantee of the British life line to the
East, Italy would be conceded a superior
air position. She would keep perma-
nently about one hundred planes in
Libya and distribute an equal number
at strategic points between Sicily and
the Aegean Islands. On land Mussolini
would be limited to garrison of $4,000
troops in Libya, with Britain maintain
ing a similar force in adjacent Egypt.
In each case, one third of the allotted
military strength would be motorized.
Another concession to Britain would
permit her to fortify Cyprus and Alex
andria, in addition to Malta.
Definite action looking to the con-
summation of a pact along these lines is
said only to await the formal abandon
ment of sanctions, now regarded as a
foregone conclusion, with Britain in the
role of chief advocate of that conciliation
program at Geneva. The general expec-
tation prevails in both London and
Rome that events are tending steadily
toward restoration Of frank and
friendly relations between the old-time
allies. There is realization that cordial
understanding will speedily result in
mutual benefits, despite the eStrange-
ment and recriminations that flowed
from the Ethiopian conflict.
Although there is no hint Of them in
the terms alleged to form the basis Of
the entente, it is expected to provide for
two things upon which the British lay
preponderant streSs-a cessation on
Italy's part of anti-British propaganda
in Egypt and Palestine, and implied
Fascist readiness to re-establish the
Stresa front for combined Anglo Franco
Italian resistance to German aggression
in Central Europe. London and Paris
may be unduly optimistic on the latter
score There is concrete evidence of
budding rapprochement between II Duce
and Hitler. Italy may balk at any good
neighbor arrangement with lately per-
fldious Albion that connotes hostility to
the Reich. Between the lines of any
post-sanctions compact will probably be
provisions giving Mussolini access to the
British money market for the capital he
requires to develop his new colonial
empire Terms in that direction should
be the more easily arranged because Of
Britains need to safeguard her economic
position throughout the area that has
now become vast Italian sphere OF
influence. Realism has promptly sup
planted passion and sentiment as deter
minant political factors alike on the
Thames and the Tiber.