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PIRACY CONFERENCE.
Italy and Germany Absent.
RUSS0-ITALIAN RUPTURE EXPECTED.
LONDON, September 9.
Neither Germany nor Italy will bo represented in the con
ference to be held to-morrow at Nyon, Switzerland, to pro
pound measures for putting an end to piracy in the Mediter
ranean. The British Cabinet has completed the proposals
it intends to place before tho conference, and in view of
the inclusion of naval experts in the delegations it is be
lieved that they will deal largely with technical problems.
Russia's quarrel with Italy is expected to result in a rup
ture of diplomatic relations, and the Soviet's attitude is
warmly criticised in Paris.
Germany's reply was handed to the
British Chargo d'Affalres in Berlin to
day.
'Die Nolo declares that Germany Is
willing to co-operate, but sho declines
to attend a special conference "In view
of tho Soviet's provocation to Italy." In
order to show her good will, Germany
proposed, in agreement with Italy, that
the Non-intervention Committee in Lon
don should deal with the problem, espe
cially as other Interested Powers who had
nob been invited to the special con-
ference would then ' be enabled lo par
ticipate.
Italy's reply Is In almost Identical
terms, revealing intimate co-operation
between Rome and Berlin.
It Is expected that the conference will
bo formally opened ut Nyon, ond then
transferred to Geneva, as Nyon was
chosen mainly for tho sake of the
Italian and German delegations.
"Italy will not go to Nyon" is a head
ing displayed across the front page of
the Milan "Popola d'ltalla."
An accompanying article, attributed to
Stgnor Mussolini, denounces the Russian
Notes as "impudent manoeuvres" and
condemns "the barbaric and Intolerable
Intrusion of Moscow into the Mediter
ranean."
The nrticlo coulhmcs: — "Italy, al
though she has no illusions about the
miraculous value of international con
ferences, did not refuse her collaboration
until tho sudden ond insincere action of
Russia, to whom Britain in the post has
constantly refused the right to interfere
in the Mediterranean. Italy now be
lieves that the discussion would bo best j
left to the non-intervention committee. ,
Count Ciano will make constructive i
counter proposals." 1
Russian circles in Rome consider that J
Italy's rejection of llio Soviet Notes ,
raises a very serious situation. A third
Note Is expected from Moscow, probably 1
breaking off diplomatic relations. It is
understood that Italy feels it is for Mos
cow to take this initiative as the Soviet
started the quarrel.
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