Rome, July 27.
The Italians are disappointed at Mr. Neville Chamberlain's statement that the Anglo-Italian Agreement cannot be ratified until the Spanish question is settled.
This statement was made in the British Honour and Vital Interests Safeguarded on (Continued from page 5)
Such an investigator and mediator, Mr. Chamberlain went on to say, would, of course, be independent of His Majesty's Government. He would, in fact, be independent of all Governments. He would act only in s personal capacity.
On this proposal, the Premier said:—
'I cannot be certain that a proposal of this kind will necessarily bring a solution, but I think that it might have two valuable results.
"First of all, I think that it will go far to inform public opinion generally as to the real facts of the case, and secondly I hope that it may mean that the issues which have hitherto appeared intractable may prove under the influence of such a mediator to be less obstinate than they had appeared.
"It is quite obvious that the task: of anyone undertaking this duty~is going to be very exacting, very responsible and very delicate, and His Majesty's Government feel that they are fortunate in having secured from Lord Runciman a promise to undertake it, provided he is assured of the confidence of the Sudeten Germans, as I hope he will be, as well as the assistance of the Czech Government."
Mr. Chamberlain spoke highly of Lord Runciman's qualifications for the task, and replying to interjections from the Opposition Benches, he made it clear that he would go in no sense as an arbitrator, but as an speech on foreign policy in yesterday's debate in the House of Commons.
Though opinion here has been prepared for a long delay, Mr. Chamberlain's tribute tò Italian good faith appreciated, but it is felt to be slightly illogical that Britain should be unwilling to ratify the Pact, while whole-heartedly recognizing Italian loyalty.
The Italian Government, it is learned, has given full support to the plans for the withdrawal of foreign volunteers from Spain, and their concentration behind the lines until finally being withdrawn from Spain.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.