WRONG STEPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 3, 4 January 1941, Page 7

WRONG STEPS.

DUCE'S MISTAKES.

Miscalculations Land Italy In Trouble. (R/ cd. noon.) RUGBY, Jan. 3. Discussing the miscalculations which led the Duce into war "The Times" says: "Doubtless Mussolini was over-impressed by the sweeping German victories and, under-estimat-ing the toughness of this country, was afraid Hitler was going to con- 1 quer Europe without him and that he might, in that event, be unable to make good" his claim to a share of the spoils. "His eagerness to make tlie pretence of helping as soon as he judged it safe to do so only put him and his country in a still worse position. He can now hope for nothing, even from a German victory, which will leave Italy little morn than a semi-autonomous province of tlie new lieicli. "His acceptance of air reinforcements from Germany, now oflicially announced, will be greeted with grave misgivings by realistic Italians. They have seen their gates open to their historic enemy and oppressor. They see the Luftwaffe follow the Gestapo and they will ask where the 'invasion' is to end and what will be left of Mussolini's power to resist dictation from the north. "Mussolini must know by now that Hitler will not hesitate to take France into partnership instead of Italy if Vichy is willing to swallow every scruple and pay the price. Meanwhile, Italian mainland ports, railways and factories aie in ever-increasing danger from the R.A.F. and Fleet Air Arm. A« the year draws on Italy's privations become less and less tolerable." Evidence that the 'Italian colonial policy during the past six years has been dominated by the Fascist intention of< further conquest w marshalled relentlessly in a booklet published by the Royal Institute of Internationa] Affairs. Its objective is to record the facts that make it clear that each new acquisition was sought as a base for a further advance. Thus Albania became a base for a furthe;- thrust in an attempt to dominate the Eastern Mediterranean. Libya, originally intended to strengthen the defence of the Italian Empire, was converted by Mussolini into an offensive position for attacks against Egypt or Tunis. Abyssinia was no sooner seized than the energies of the Italians were directed towards exploiting it as a base for an advance on the Upper Nile Valley aud Jibuti.