Nov. 16, at long last, the Anglo-Italian Agree ment, which was signed on April 10 of this year, comes into force, and the formal restora ton of better relations between the two coun ries becomes an accomplished fact, It Is now louty to be desired that what has' thus been done formally, will lead to a general improve: ment in the sentiment between the two nations, and the re-establishment of the old jeordiality which existed, Of the Agreement it has been said that it is greater as a whole than the sum of its individual items, for it owes value not so much to the separate promises jas to the general determination on ench side to achieve a lasting appeasement, Briefly the provisions of the Agreement comprise:—
(4) Reairmation of the Anglo-Italian Agreement of January, 1057, on the. mi (2) Exchange of military information concerning territories in and around. the Mediter=
Recognition of the common Interest in. the independence and' territorial Integrity of Saudi Arabia and the Yemen, rect the "rulers. of which' remain autonomous; and agreement not to fortify the former Turkish islands In. the Red Bei (A) Neither 10 use publicity nor propaganda to injure' the other.
(8) Guarantee of British Interest in the malter an abiding interest. territorial "defence.
(1) Mahan promise to assure British {in Ttalian East Africa fee exercise of thelt reuigon and to examine the aims of mis (8) The free use of the Sucx Canal 45 guaranteed at all times to all Powers. fin the exchange of letters annexed to the Jagreement Italy declared readiness to with draw Italian forces from Lybia until their strength is halved. Ialy also declared she would jon the London Naval Treaty of 1936 would withdraw from Spain, and denied Jahe had any territorial or political aims [Spain, nor did she seck economic privileges. Great Britain reminded Italy that "a settlement of the Spanish question" must come before the agreement as a whole enters into force, Jand promised to raise the question of the recognition of Italian Ethiopia at Geneva, It" Is apparent from the foregoing that with goodwill on both sides this agreement should [prove a sure foundation for a fresh and lasting understanding, on terms of perfect equality, between Great Britain and the new Italy. should at the very least put a period to the frictions, annoyances and mistrusts, the origin lof which is quite clear and comprehensible but Jwhich have no quality of permanence and should be prevented from ever recurring agai The direct action taken in this matter by Mr. Chamberlain has resulted in the removal of all incompatible material issues between the two countries, and this Agreement sweeps away all {those minor causes of friction which cease 19 be dangerous as soon as they are no longer exploited. That: the Agreement represents some Jdeparture from the League of Nations will undoubtedly be regretted by some, but the decision enabling recognition of the Italian empire in Abyssinia was taken within the framework of the League, and is, therefore, not wholly devoid of the merit which critics would deny it. The coming into force of the Agrce-[ment will undoubtedly be welcomed locally by tooth the British andthe Italian communities. Fortunately that tolerance which comes from jeloser acquaintance was not at any time decreased, and though the two nations might officially be at loggerheads the relations between the two communities here were happily not Jdiminished in friendliness.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.