Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-12-04

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. 3.-Great Britain
backed France today by deciding on
diplomatic action to block Italian
designs on Tunisia, French African
protectorate.
The Fascist challenge to French
control Of Tunisia has threatened to
deliver final blow to Prime Minis
ter Chamberlain's European APP
basement policy. already weakened
by Germanys anti-Semitic cam
paign.
The Tunisian development led
Foreign Secretary Viscount Halifax
to order immediate strong repre-
sensations at the Italian foreign
ONCE. With vital English and
French strategic interests in the
Mediterranean involved, Lord Hall
fax, reliable quarters said, ordered
Britain's Ambassador to Rome, the
Earl Of Perth. to take Arm stand"
against Italy's latest anti-French
drive.
Plans fer Visit Menaced.
This drive threatened to wreck Mr..
Chamberlains projected visit to
Rome. First announced Monday. the
trip was set today for January II to
II. The foreign office announced the
date. however, amid conjecture that
Mr.. Chamberlain might not go at all
as a result Of the French Italian
friction.
The situation still was far from
settled and there were some who
felt the fast-changing European
scene might yet shift enough to
force a reconsideration of the visit.
Lord Halifax is to accompany the
Prime Minister.
Britain decided on the Rome rep
reservations in order to reinforce
the request of the French Ambassa-
dor in Rome, Andre Francois Poncet,
for an explanation Of the Italian
clAmor over Tunisia.
The foreign ONCE made its de.
cision after it had been informed
omcialiy that France could not toll
crate interference in Tunisia or any
other territory.
Aim Not Exactly Stated.
The italian aim has not been
stated exactly and it was not clear
whether the Fascists are calling for
cession Of Tunisia or simply for in
creased Italian rights.
Lord Perth's instructions appar-
entity reached him too late for action
when he called upon Count Ciano
today, but the Ambassador was ex-
pected to take the first opportunity
Of voicing Londons views.
France meanwhile maintained q
tight military and civilian grip on
her North African protectorate. Only
month ago French army leaders
travelled through Tunisia inspecting
defenses and civil authorities have
been routing out remnants of q
secret nationalist organization which
it was feared Italy might use to
weaken French rule.
Rome contended today that France
misunderstood "the new Italy and
its natural aspirations. and was
using the Fascist cutlery for Tunisia
to sabotage Mr.. CEamberlain's good
will visit to Rome. Count Ciano
disavowed any official responsibility
for the Tunisia demonstrations.
Part Of Post Munich Drive.
Reliable observers in both London
and Paris. however, saw Italy's anti
French drive as an integral part of
the totalitarian post-Munich cam
paign to squeeze more concessions
out of the democracies.
The manner in which the drive
has been conducted is calculated to
leave very little peace in Mr.. Cham
beriain's appeasement program, they
said.
Some in London felt that Mr..
Chamberlain's keen desire to cement
personally Britain's new friendship
with Italy might not be able to sur
vive widespread British condemna-
ton of what the Times called lin
vention of grievances" by dictators.
Italy's campaign, following swift
ly on her unyielding advocacy OF
| (See TUNISIA. PAGE A.4.)