TO PEACE OR WAR?

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 9

TO PEACE OR WAR?

MUSSOLINI SPEAKS.

Certain Knots In Europe Must Be Severed.

REALITY AND SUSPENSE.

United Press Association.—Copyright,

(Received 10 a.m.) ROME, May 14

Signor Mussolini, opening an economic self-sufficiencv exhibition at Turin, said that millions throughout the world, in conflicting optimism "ir-u , P f,ss,,nis »b were asking: Whether are we going—to peace or war?" This was a grave question, especially for those responsible for decisions.

"In order to sever a knot, it is not always necessary to u.«e a sword." said II [nice. "Nevertheless, it is necessarv to cut certain knots in Kurope. because harsh reality is sometimes preferable to a long period of difficult suspense, this is also (Jerniany's viewpoint. "Fascism's doctrines and mv will remain inflexible. We shall march with (ierniHiiy on every question in Kurope. Through our military alliance, the Axis has become an unbreakable union." Signor Mussolini prefaced his remarks by saying that an objective review of the situation showed there did not at present exist in Kurope problems of such magnitude as to justify a war which would become universal.

The Italo-German Alliance would be signed in Berlin before the end of the month, and the result of it would be the confusion and humiliation of those who were, continually attempting to spy out bends or breaks in the Axis, said II Dure. He warned people against the continuation of "ridiculous illusions and superficial casuistry." Crowds Cheer Irony. "We do not desire peace simply because of our internal situation, which of course is well known as catastrophic," he said, and the crowd cheered the irony. "Our adversaries have vainly waited 17 years for a catastrophe, and they will have to wait a long time. We do not desire peace because of fear of war, which is unknown to us." (Boos and cheers.) "Armchair strategists, studiously examining portions of our frontiers, mention easy passage through the Po valley," II Duce proceeded. "This would not be possible, when there exists a compact people of 4."),000.000 on this side of the Alps. Piedmont's military history has shown that it would not be healthy for anyone to walk into Italy. "We must ask whether the great democracies share the sincere desire for peace that exists in the totalitarian States. I confine myself to saying that, judging from their acts, it is permissible to doubt it. Wars are won not only with gold. The only gold worth while is will and courage." Maps Have Been Modified. Signer Mussolini said the map of three continents had been modified in recent times, but Italy, Germany and Japan had not abstracted one square metre nor a solitary individual from the sovereignty of the democracies. "Therefore, how do they explain this furious outbreak of selfishness'?" he asked. "Perhaps we do not know the methods by which they build up their own empires, nor the methods by which those empires have been maintained. "Since the crumpling of the Versailles system, which constituted a pistol pointed against Italy and Germany, an effort is being made to substitute guarantees, more or less sought and more or less multi-lateral. That the democracies are not sincerely devoted to peace is shown ineontestably by the fact that they have already started what can be called a white war, or an economic war.

"The formidable bloc of 150,000,000 people, rapidly increasing, from the Baltic to the Indian Ocean, will not let itself be overpowered. The latest system of guarantees will collapse like that of Versailles. We are arming in order to be able to safeguard our peace and throw back aggression.

"Whatever happens, I declare to you with absolute certainty that all our goals will be reached," II Duce concluded.

Diplomatic quarters consider Signor Mussolini's speech as pacific and moderate His references to "no questions on which wo need fight," are interpreted as leaving the door open. The genera, atmosphere has by no means worsened, states an Independent Cable Service message from London. The official text of Signor Mussolini's speech savs: "We will march with Germany to give Kurope that peace with justice which is the profound desire of all peoples." The official news agency deletes the words, "On every question in Europe.

SEE FORTIFICATIONS.

INSPECTION BY HITLER.

Independent Cable Service.

BERLIN, May 14

Herr Hitler will befjin to-morrow a fortnight's visit to key points in the German fortifications, first going to the Siegfried Line in the west, and thence to the east. He will thoroughly examine the positions and equipment of the troops on the whole eastern frontier, including the Baltic and East Prussia. Field-Marshal Goering returned from his Mediterranean cruise last night It E reported he cancelled his visit to Madrid after the Gestapo had warned h m "hat the city was full of Republicans, who were willing to risk a shot at a distinguished Nazi.