Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-04-13

1Cllll1Culd.
I will not trouble the house with
elaborate details of the reports
reaching us in proof OF this fact,
but will confine myself to one case
only. When the secretary for for
eign affairs saw the Italian charge
d'affaires at a late hour on Easter
eve, Signor Crolla communicated a
message from Signor Mussolini
which stated, among other things,
that neighboring countries-Yugo-
slavia and Greece-were perfectly
calm, and 1t was very clear that
Italy was not going to cause trouble
In the neighboring countries.
Attention Drawn to Corfu.
Later in the evening Signor Crolla
drew attention to information in his
possession that the English Sunday
press were likely to draw attention
to possible causes of action by the
British government, including the
occupation of Corfu.
On this point, he assured Lord
Halifax that the Italians were not
going to threaten Greek independ-
ence, but that any British occupa-
ton of Corfu would have a very
dangerous reaction. Lord Halifax
told him he could dismiss from his
mind that the British government
had any intention of occupying
Corfu, but that the government
would take a very grave view if
anybody else occupied it.
On the morning of Easter Sunday.
we learned from our Minister at
Athens that information had reached
the Greek government that Italy
was intending to occupy Corfu in
the near future, and this informa-
ton was subsequently confirmed by
the Greek Minister in London.
The foreign secretary saw the
Italian Charge d'Affaires on that
day and told him of this report, and
the Italian Charge d'Affaires said
he had no hesitation in saying it
was absolutely impossible it could
be correct and, on his own RESPONSE
bility, he gave assurance it was not
the policy of his government.
Insisted on Clear Understanding.
Lord Halifax, while welcoming his
assurance. said 1t was absolutely
vital there should be no misunder-
standing between the two govern
ments on this point.
The Greek Minister subsequently,
called at the foreign Office and was
informed of the tenor of the CONVEX
sation and, during the same eve
ming the Italian Charge d'Affaires
called with further message from
Mussolini and gave renewed as
surance Italy intended to respect
the continental and insular territory
of Greece.
I have given the House in some
detail a history of what might be
called the course of rumors, be-
cause l believe it illustrates the
general uneasiness created by recent
events.
AS have said on previous occa-
sions, once confidence has been
shaken it is not so easily re-
established, and His Majesty's gov
eminent feel they have both a duty
and service to perform by leaving
no doubt in the mind of anybody as
to their position
l. therefore, take this opportunity
of saying that, on their behalf, His
Majesty's government attach the
greatest Importance to the avoidance
of disturbance by force or threats of
force of the status quo in the
Mediterranean and the Balkan
peninsula.
Consequently, they have come to
the conclusion that, in the event of
any action being taken which clearly
threatens the independence of
Greece and Rumania, and which the
Greek or Rumanian government re-
spectively consider it vital to resist
with their national forces, his
majejsty's government will feel
themselves bound to lend at once 70
the Greek or Rumanian govern
ments. as the case might be, all the
support in their power.
Turkey Mentioned.
We are communicating this decla-
ration to the governments directly
concerned and to the powers, es-
pecially Turkey, whose close rela-
tionships with the Greek govern
ment are known and I understand
that the French government are
making a similar declaration this
afternoon.
need not add that the Dominion
governments, as always, are being
continuously informed of develop
ments. I only want to add one or
two further observations. AS far as
I am concerned nothing that has
happened has in any way altered
my conviction that the policy of his
majesty's government in signing the
Anglo-Italian agreement a wear ago
was right.
do not say that in order to raise
controversies that belong to the
past, but in order to avoid any mis-
understanding of my present atti-
tude. I rejoiced at the restoration
of friendly feeling between the Ital-
ian people and the people of this
country, not for its own sake but
because I believe that it could make
q valuable contribution to general
peace.
I frankly confess my deep disap-
pointment at the action taken bv
the Italian government, which has
cast a shadow over the genuineness
of their intentions to carry out their
undertakings No doubt some would
say that we should now declare that
the Anglo-Italian agreement should
now be considered at an end. I do
not take that view myself for nobody
with any sense of responsibility can
in these days lightly do anything
which would lead to an increase in
international tension which every-
body would deplore.
Every one would deplore the loss
of advantages that followed from