27 JANUARY 1912, Page 17

A dangerous tension has existed during the week between France

and Italy owing to the seizure by Italian destroyers of two French mail steamers. The 'Carthage' was seized on the 16th on the ground that she was transporting to Tunis an aeroplane intended for use in Tripoli. The Manouba,' also bound for Tunis, was seized on the 17th on the ground that she was carrying twenty-nine Turkish officers. On the French Government explaining that the aeroplane was in- tended for use by a private person at aviation meetings in Tunis the 'Carthage' was released. The French Government very naturally refused to give an absolute guarantee that the aeroplane should never cross into Tripoli. How can one control the movements of aeroplanes when once they have left the ground P