Evening star., 1939-03-30
Continued From Page C-5.)

Informed us that he no longer con-
sidered these accords of 1885 as valid.
Moreover, in the speech he de-
livered last Sunday Mussolini said IN
his own terms:
1--WE do not ask the world to judge,
but we want the world to be in
formed. Now in the Italian note of
December II. 1888, were clearly
established the Italian problems
concerning France, problems of a
colonial character. These problems
have a name. They are callN1
Tunisia, Djibouti and the Suez
Canal"
Reference to Letter Gives
Improper Perspective.
This affirmation created great
surprise in international opinion.
The reference to the letter of De-
cember II let it be believed, in fact,
that this document contained the
Italian claims with clarity. A whole
press campaign let it be understood
that France had received on that
date concrete demands and had not
replied.
We are going to publish the letter
of December II. You will be able
to read it tomorrow CThursday) in
the newspapers, followed by the re-
ply we gave the Italian Govern
ment several days later.
But this evening I give you af-
firmation that it contained no de-
tails. There was no question of
Suez, Of Djibouti or of Tunisia.
What in fact does letter of De-
cember II say? 1t says simply that
Italy considers the treaty of 1885 as
void and it endeavors to justify this
attitude.
The essential argument it invokes
Is the following: The conquest of
Ethiopia and constitution of the
italian Empire created new rights
for Italy
I have no need to say we cannot
accept this argument. What does
it mean in fact? It means that
these new conquests or each new
concession would open new rights.
Thus the demands which could be
presented to us would be practically
without limit, since each one of
them once satisfied would bring fu-
ture demands.
Moreover, I repat that none Of
these demands was formulated in
the letter of December II.
France Declared Willing
To Consider Proposals.
Will 1t be maintained that these
demands were presented to us by
press articles or by street clamorf
In this case it will be sufficient for
me to recall that the position Of
France was Immediately made pub
lie. I said and I maintained that
we will not cede foot Of our land
nor one of our rights.
Faithful to the accords she signed
In 1885, France is ready to pursue
their complete and loyal execution
In the spirit and equivalence Of
these accords on the bases that
have defined and that I have just
recalled, she would not refuse to
examine propositions that may be
made to her.
Since I speak of Franco italian
relations I wish also to clear up
legends that have arisen on the
status Of the 1000 Italians who live
in Tunisia with 100000 French and
nearly 2,50O,000 Moslems. It is pre-
tended the Italians are maltreated
or even prosecuted. These are fables.
On the contrary, they benefit in all
domains of most liberal regime for
them as well as for their children
Foreigners Of all nationalities who
live In Tunisia have often given
proof of this.
can myself. since I was in North
Africa at the start of January, give
here personal testimony Of this.
wish also, since I speak of Tunisia,
to address my cordial greetings to
the noble Moslem populations which
keep their secular beliefs and all
the virtues of their civilization with
In the framework of our empire.
wish to thank them for having