PEACE MOVE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 245, 27 July 1943, Page 3

PEACE MOVE

EXPECTATION EXPRESSED. AXIS SATELLITES’ POSITION. BRITISH AND AMERICAN VIEWS. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, July 26. London morning papers devote leading articles to Mussolini’s resignation. All acclaim it as the fall of one of the world’s dictators, and indicate that it is the writing on the wall for Hitler. Diplomatic writers also comment on the resignation, and say that it did not come as a surprise in London, in view of the regime’s obvious difficulties recently. They regard the meeting of Hitler and Mussolini as Mussolini’s last attempt to save his position. Some also think it is intended to be a prelude to peace negotiations. Military and diplomatic circles in Washington regard the news as the first step toward an Italian peace appeal, which would be followed by an Allied occupation, especially of the northern airfields.

It is also thought that Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria \vi)l hasten to make peace appeals to get better terms. Tt is expected that Marshal Badoglio will try for a negotiated peace, but that lie will accept unconditional surrender, as qualified by Mr Roosevelt s and Mr Churchill’s statement indicating generaus treatment. Military circles predict that Germany will not try to force Italy to continue the war but will withdraw her troops to protect the road to Austria. They point out that surrender of the Italian Fleet, though it has done no fighting lately, would complete the Allied naval control of the Mediterranean, thereby releasing Allied naval power for reinforcement in the Pacific. The British United Press says: “One fact, does stand out instead of Fascism, Italy now has a military dictatorship under Marshal Badoglio and the army. It looks as if the chief job of the two new rulers will be to take Italy from the war with as much saving of Italian face as possible.” Tl» Rome Radio is quoted by the Stockholm “Svenska Dagbladct ” as saying that Marshal Kcsselring and the German Ambassador (Maokensen) are negotiating with Marshal Badoglio in Rome. 'Reports reaching the “New Yoik Times” from Berne say that rapid developments arc expected in 1* ranee. There is a strong possibility that the Italian occupation troops in Savoy and the Riviera will bo recalled, in which case the Nazis are expected to turn to the French Fascist leaders, Doriot and Bucard, in order to cow the French masses while military moves are adjusted to the new situation. Neutral military observers believe that the turn of events in Italy will fore a the Gei-mans to attempt to reduce the length of the defence linos of the “Atlantic wall.”