10 DECEMBER 1927, Page 2

The Yugoslavians, instead of living in quiet and confidence,.boaSted of

the Treaty and waved it ecstatically in the 'face of Italy. - Italy's reply: was to rush through a Treaty with. Albania..for_ common defence._ This new Treaty, which was ratified in the Italian Chamber. last Saturday, is a more vigorous statement of the principles of the Treaty of Tirana with Albania, which was also ratified last Saturday. Thus we see. that France with her friends' and Italy with her friends' have fallen into distinct hoSfile groups. It is inconceivable that Italy wants to fight France any more than that France wants to fight Italy, but the grouping is in itself dangerous , and recalls the' political strategy of the days .before the League. M. Briand has 'proposed t6 meet Signor Mussolini and discuss the *hole situation, but in theSe days of excitement there would be danger if such an _interview "were unfruitful.