WORLD'S FUTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1931, Page 6

WORLD'S FUTURE.

ITALY WANTS PEACE.

Mussolini's Broadcast Speech

In English.

NAVAL HOLIDAY ABANDONED ?

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, January 2,

The Rome correspondent of the "Times" says any extension of the Franco-Italian naval holiday has obviously been abandoned. The Italian newspapers give prominence to the list of vessels launched in 1930, with a 'total of 59,000 tons, six cruisers, six submarines and three destroyers. They refer to the units which will be launched in 1931, including a 10,000-ton cruiser, the Pola, which is to be laid down in March. The newspapers emphasise the Italian .determination to achieve the constantly growing efficiency rendered necessary by the present international situation. The Prime Minister, Signor Mussolini, made his lirst broadcast speech in English, in which he has recently taken lessons from an Englishwoman. It was received in London and passed on by telephone to the United States. He said he was most anxious to contradict rumours spread abroad about the alleged danger of Fascism to world peace. He had himself served in the ranks and was severely wounded in war time, and the terrible memories had r.ot left him. As head, of the Government every aspect of war and its consequences was ever before him. Italy needed peace, and Fascism desired to co-operate with the other peoples in seeking a future of prosperity and peace. Another outbreak of war, even between two Powers, would inevitably become general, and endanger civilisaI tion. ,