30 APRIL 1937, Page 3

The Mussolini-Schuschnigg conversations in Venice have considerably disturbed the Foreign

affairs experts in the House. They believe that they indicate a tightening of the alliance between Berlin and Rome, and that what Mussolini told Schuschnigg was that Austria could no longer look to Italy for support if her independence was threatened. It is known that the denunciations in Parliament of the Abyssinian atrocities have been bitterly resented by Mussolini, and it is understood that he has now, for the moment, abandoned his attempt to work for an Anglo-Italian entente. It is believed that much will depend on the decision of the League Assembly as to the confinc:.a membership of Abyssinia.