DUCE SAYS ITALY IS PREPARING FOR WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 189, 12 August 1938, Page 7

DUCE SAYS ITALY IS PREPARING FOR WAR.

NO PEACE ILLUSIONS.

Nazi Military Preparations On Big Scale.

men being called up.

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 10.30 a.m.) | LONDON", August 11. j "Italy has no illusions about peace. She is preparing for war," declared Signor Mussolini when reviewing 25,000 officers and men, says a Rome message. He added that while guns were booming in so many parts of the world, such an illusion is folly. "Unpreparedness is a crime. We are, therefore, getting ready. Italians ' have only one privilege and ambition, to bear arms in defence of the Fatherland." German military movements and parations continue in the western,, louth-eastern and southern regions, sa\» the diplomatic correspondent of tfae "Manchester Guardian." Twelve military trains have paaeed along the Nuremburg-Ulm line in the past few days. I Orders have been given that all farmers must be prepared to place their horses at the disposal of the military authorities from August 20. Men over military age, but fit for garrison work, have been ondered to report on August 22 for duiy lasting until October 28. Conscripts about to finish their military service have been informed that the period has been provisionally extended by one year. j Reports from German border sources , leave no doubt that the future is regarded with grave anxiety. I Signor Gayda, editor, commenting in the "Giornale d'ltalia" on Signor Mussolini's speech, says that the general darkening of the European and world lituation, which is exacting from every tountry armed vigilance to be ready, means that Italy must be capable of the maximum strength for offence. Experimental exercises have . con

Armed the view that Italy is more ready than ever '-before.

ON SMALL SCALE. Autumn Manoeuvres of German •Forces. ARKY AND PUBLIC CO-OPERATE (Received 12.30 p.m.) BERLIN, August 11. According to Field-Marshal Goering's • Essen newspaper, the "National Zeitung," the autumn army manoeuvres will be on a small scale. They are particularly concerned with co-operation of the Army and inhabitants "so that the resemblance to wartime conditions , will be as- close as possible."-

The paper adds: "There will be no plan for- defending the country against as enemy from a neighbouring State. Germany does not require siich political demonstrations so beloved in London, Paris, Prague and Moscow."

STRICT SECRECY. German Fortification of West Frontier. , TANK TRAPS COMPLETED. (Received 1.30 p.m.) METZ, August 11. Strictest secrecy is being maintained! regarding the fortification of Germany's western frontier, but it is known that permits have been stopped of many hundreds of German miners, who formerly crossed the frontier daily to work in Trench mines. They are now forced te find work in Germany. It is learned that 16,000 additional titakers arrived from Westphalia and fata Mechlenburg-Schwerin for fortification construction. Tank traps are imported to be completed along the frontier, and barbedwire barriers have |j|»n erected every quarter-mile. NEW LIGHT CRUISERS. JTALY TO BUI£D A DOZEN. LONDON, August 11. ' Italy will shortly begin the construction of 12 light cruisers bearing the Mmes of Roman emperors and warriors, •lys the "Daily Telegraph." The new ships will be of 3600 tons, with a speed of 39 to 40 knots and an ■rmament of 6in guns of a calibre Between 4.7 in and 6in, and will carry Uti-aircraft guns and torpedo tubes. They will be completed within. 22 "'Months.

l||These "exploratori," or scouts, will jfgelipse the big French flotilla-leaders •Bd will further outclass the British Ttfbal class of destroyers. They represent the biggest peacetime cruiser propamine undertaken by any Power.