5 JULY 1930, Page 6

The Franco-Italian Deadlock

The announcement by the Italian Government last Saturday of an increased military expenditure will hardly improve the strained relations between -Paris and Rome. Out of a considerable sum to be obtained by re-establishing the former turnover tax—making a uniform level of 1.50 lire per cent.-500,000,000 lire are to be devoted to the Army, including the Militia. The

balance of 205,000,000 lire is assigned to national development, with a discreet intimation that this slim may also be used for military purposes should the friction with France become worse. Although the aggressive tone of Fascism is responsible for the present insecurity of Europe, the French Government seems to be putting itself in the wrong by declining to discuss Franco-Italian differences in some manner more expeditious than the ordinary diplomatic exchanges. * * * *