Evening star., 1938-04-17

oAS n
Great Britain and Italy hare
been at loggerheads in Mediter-
raneun since before MusSolinis in
pdsion OF Ethiopia in 1885. Tempo
rarp settlement ac,ieued IS months
ago in agreement OF January 2,
1897. uhch pledged both to pre-
serpe the status quo in the Mediter-
rnnean. Continued Intervention bv
Italy in Spain destroyed its effect,
hotpeDer.
Ey the Associated Press.
ROME, April 16-Italy and Great
Britain tonight signed an agreement
which paved the way for possible
four or five power peace lineup IN
Europe,
The accord patched up British and
italian African and Mediterranean
quarrels which might have led to
war during the last three years.
While it was hailed with satisfac-
tion by Premier Benito Mussolini and
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain
in an exchange of kilograms, Italy
still must carry cut the promise to
withdraw her combatants from Spain
during or after the civil war. before
1t will become fully operative.
Signed by Ciano and Perth.
Points in the pact formally signed
In Chigl Palace by Foreign Minister
Count Galeazzo Ciano and the Earl
OF Perth, the British Ambassador in
cluded:
l. Withdrawal of all Italian fighters
and war materials from Spain at the
end of the civil war, If evacuation is
not completed earlier
2. Britain in return agreed to work
through the League OF Nations toward
recognition OF Italy's conquest of
Ethiopia.
8. italy reassured Britain she not
only held no territorial or political
aims IN Spain but also sought mo
privileged economic position" In Spain
or Spanish possessions.
4. Italy adhered to the 1885 Lon
don naval treaty among Great Britain,
the United States and France.
5. Italy agreed 10 withdraw troops
from L.bya at the rate of at least
1000 a week until the peace time
strength of possibly 10000 men should
be reached
Suez Canal Convention Reaffirmed.
6. Both countries reaff1rmed their
Suez Canal convention Of 1888. which
guarantees free use of the Suez Canal
at all times for all powers.
7. Italy reaffirmec guarantees re-
earding Lake Tsana. Ethiopian source
Of the Blue Nile. in a clause of the
accord ir which Egypt participated.
3. Both countries agreed not to use
propaganda against each other,
9. Both reaflirmed the gentlemen's
agreement Of January, 1897 and the
Mediterranean status quo which that
agreement involved.
10. italy abandoned all claims to
influence in Arabian territories bor-
dering the Red Sea and across from
Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. Both
agreed to reSpect the integrity of
Saudi Arabs and Yemen.
II. Both agreed to exchange infor-
nation on major prospective move
ments of armed forces in the Medi-
terranean. Red Sea, Gulf of Alden, the
Sudan and other regions. They agreed
to notify each other in advance of
any new naval or air bases in the
Eastern Mediterranean, the Red Sea
and the approaches to the latter.
IL. Boundary issues and related
matters in the East African region are
to be negotiated.
Italy Given Alden Rights.
13. Italy was granted certain rights
IN the British Alden protectorate.
IA. Italy reafirmed her June, 1896,
assurance to the League of Nations
that natives of East Africa would not
be used for military service except for
local policing and defense. In other
words, Italy will not raise a black
army in Ethiopia.
IS. Italy promised British nationals
full religious freedom in East Africa
and agreed to allow British mission
aries to continue their work there.
l6. Extension of full British trad
ing facilities to Ethiopia and a prom
ise by Britain to prevent raids into
Ethiopia from neighboring territory.
French Accord Next.
Settlement of Italian differ
ences appeared to diplomats to clear
the way for a Franco-1talian under
standing which, with Germany work.
ing with italy. might mean lineup
Of four nations in Europe.
Far-seeing diplomats sought to dis
Germ . possible five-power pact which
would bring Germany and Poland
back into collaboration with Britain,
France and Italy. They have long
felt that Mussolini cherished the hope
Of such a pact and was awaiting a At
moment to spring the idea.
Ofhcials indicated Italy was ready
for negotiations with France and
usually well-informed sources said
Count Ciano already had outlined
this stand to France indirectly.
Informed sources felt Italy would
gain considerably through 4 five
power pact for 1t would leave the
Rome Berlin axis intact. but strength
en- Mussolini's position with Hitler
himself.
In London, British Official spokesmen
(SNe PACT page A.5O