The Struggle For Peace

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Declaration signed in Rome on 2nd January, 1937, regarding
the Mediterranean and the Notes which were exchanged
between the two Governments on 3ist December regarding
the status quo in the Western Mediterranean. The second one
has reference to a very important point, the exchange of
military information, and when hon. Members recall, what I
have said before, that the signing of this Agreement has been
preceded by a good deal of what, I believe, has been un-
founded suspicion as to the intentions of both sides, it will be
seen that this Annex is a precaution against further suspicion
of that kind, because it is an undertaking that information as to
any major prospective administrative movements or redistri-
bution of their respective naval, military and air forces is to be
periodically exchanged between the two Governments. The
forces concerned are those which are stationed in the overseas
territories in or bordering upon the Mediterranean, the Red
Sea, or the Gulf of Aden, and also Egypt, the Sudan, Italian
East Africa, British Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda and the
Northern part of Tanganyika. These are the territories
included within the boundaries which are mentioned in the
latter part of this Annex.
" I come now to the third Annex, which is one which deals
with certain areas in the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia and
the Yemen. It will be seen that the two Governments bind
themselves to respect the independence and integrity of Saudi
Arabia and the Yemen* They further agree that it is their
common interest that no other Power shall interfere with the
independence and integrity of both these countries. Article 4
of the Annex deals with certain islands in the Red Sea, and
goes on to clarify and regularise the position as between
Great Britain and Italy as regards certain areas in Southern
Arabia which for a long time have been under the protection
of the British Government. This applies in particular to the
Aden Protectorate, where certain rights have been guaranteed
to Italy by this instrument. Finally, in Article 8, provision
is made for a revision of the terms if the circumstances should
change, and for a duration of 10 years, after which the Agree-
ment will be subject to three months' notice. In the fourth
Annex, which concerns propaganda, both Governments
"declare that neither of them will employ methods of publicity