The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-02
ITALIAN FLEET IN
 MEDITERRANEAN
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(Continued from Page D and that the Allies had almost 760,- 900 tons in the Mediterranean, giv- ing them superiority by almost 50 per cent.
 The Allies, 1t was asserted, should he able to dominate the Mediter- ranean between Gibraltar and Sar- dinia, and for most of the eastern part Of the Mediterranean up to Malta.
 Frances prime consideration is her communication route to Africa past the Spanish BalearIc islands and for that reason Spain'S position i6 of vital importance. Allied fleets In the Mediterranean were natural ly alert in view of utterances Of Fascist leaders, but France had talk en no special precautions and, while the British had started to divert their ships from the Mediterranean sea traffic on the 24-hour run from Africa to France continued at nor- nal rate.
 U. S. Envoy Confcrs Again
 Rome, May William Phillips, American ambassador, con- ferred with Count dalcazzo Ciano, foreign minister, for half an hour today.
 It was said in reliable quarters that he had discussed in detail the subjects he had discussed with Pre- mier Benito Mussolini yesterday.
 Tn yesterdays conference, it was said, Mussolini assured Phillips that there was unlikely to be any early startling change in Italian foreign policy.
 It was understood today that Ci- ano had requested the conference yesterday with tbc British ambaSsa- dor, Sir Noel Charles, at which Ciano gave his assurance that Italy was not planning to enter the war "at the moment.
 The same assurance was said to to have been given Phillips, at a conference with MuSSolini. Phillips was understood to have sought the conference with Mussolini. whom he had not seen since United States Under.secreta of State Sumner Weiles was bere on his "fact-find- ing" tour.
 Hungary Doubts Entrance
 Budapest, Hungary, May 2,--(UP) Officials said today they doubted that Italy was planning any drastic moves in the Balkans because fl she were, this country, her ally, would have been informed of 1t.
 It was understood that Jusoslavia had warned Hungary against letting any of it's airplanes fly over that country without advance notice, but reports here said the same warn ing had been given to other coun- tries and that no significance was seen in 1t.
 Both Jugoslavia and Rumania have rejected Hungary's suggestion that Germany and Slovakia be per- mitted to help police the Danube, 1t was learned. The Hungarian gov- ernment announced that 1t was starting artillery practice on the banks of the Danube May 3 but It was said the practice was routine.
 Rumania Worries
 6uCIlhreSC, ''VbIlih, Nuy w. PA new | | Of war rumorS plunged King Carols capitol into gloom today.
 The most persistent of them indi- cated that & showdown was at hand in the Mediterranean that was bound to have violent repercussions in the Balkans, and that Rumania had been warned that German &C., ton against her was impending.
 The direct plot against Rumania, If one existed, apparently had been dealt with satisfactorily and the Mediterranean situation temporarily was the center of attention. Many Rumanians believed that the over- lures to Italy last week by Frances Premier Paul Reynaud were the Allies last peaceful gesture toward Benito Mussolini. and since he ap- parently had rejected them, Bri- tain and France now were deter mined to force him to put up or shut up." It was believed here that influential circles in both France and Britain hoped Mussolini would decide to put up. His joining Ger - -------------