STRESS OF WAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 78, 14 January 1936, Page 5

STRESS OF WAR

MUSSOLINI’S DIFFICULTIES. FRIENDS CROWINC LUKEWARM. FRENCH PRESS CRITICISM. (United Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, January 13. The “News-Chronicle” says that trustworthy sources indicate growing Italian uneasiness at the immobility of the armies and the difficulty of maintaining supplies over crumbling lines of communication. It is understood that the German General Staff has reported to Herr Hitler that Signor Mussolini has lost the war in Abyssinia, and accordingly the attractiveness of Italy as an ally has dwindled in Nazi eyes. Moreover, Signor Mussolini’s political position is becoming increasingly isolated, for his Austrian and Hungarian friends are growing lukewarm. The * Paris correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” says M. Chambrun (French Ambassador in Rome) had two long conversations with M. Laval. It is understood that M. Chambrun detailed the position in Italy, which ho described as going from bad to worse. Economic difficulties were rapidly increasing, and the people were becoming more aware of the folly of the Abyssinian adventure. Consequently the Government would soon he only too glad to receive a new “honourable” offer. Although the French are anxious to see the war end early, it is widely felt that Italy must be allowed to sink deeper into the bog before she is likely to listen to reason. Even newspapers which ardently defended Mussolini last year now condemn bis folly in refusing to accept the Paris proposals in August, and his speech at Pontina. The newspapers credit Britain with a desire to .secure peace before a complete Italian breakdown, largely because of complications Germany might create by suggestions that AngloFrench military and naval co-opera-tion should he balanced by reconsidering the demilitarisation of the Rhineland zone. The Rome correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says a military survey published in “11 Messagero” is interesting as preparing the nation for the type of campaign which lies ahead. The slow and laborious progress on the Tigre front is indicated in the statement that colonial wars are perhaps won with picks rather than with guns. Action is Somaliland is admittedly at a standstill. Here it is General Graziani who is pursuing a waiting policy.