ITALIAN COMMANDER RELEASED ON PAROLE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 229, 27 September 1941, Page 7

ITALIAN COMMANDER RELEASED ON PAROLE

SIGNIFICANCE SEEN

Fascists Believed Anxious For Separate Peace I'ntlod prrss Association.—Coprrigtii. Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, Sept 26. u7£ Q r? uke of Aosta - formerlv lUilian Commander-in-chief in Abyssinia, has been released on parole and is now in Rome, states a French report quoted by the Express. The report of his release follows persistent suggestions that a powerful section of the Fascist party is trying to break with Germany and make a separate peace with Britain.

The Express links with the report of the Duke of Aosta's release, a Swiss message that Italian secret police murdered Dr. Osvaldo Sebastian i. formerly personal secretary to Mussolini. The official account of Sebastiani's death stated that he was killed m a plane crash-

The Frankfurter Zeitung hints that more German troops may be moved into Italy. It says Italy's position to-day is Germany's business and adds: "Our troops must give Italy the- necessary support as Britain is probably preparing to strike at Italy in the near future Italy is preparing for a long war."

♦u On .f rida y- May 17, of this vear the Duke of Aosta. Viceroy "and Italian Commander-in-Chief in Abvssinia, accepted the British terms for the surrender of Amba Alagi and agreed to hand over the town and its garrison to the British Imperial troops. The Duke surrendered with his forces on May 20 when, in accordance with his wishes, he was the last to leave Amba Alagi.

In his final message to Mussolini he said that as he was unable to care for the wounded and carry- on owing to the deterioration of the situation, he had asked for and had been granted an honourable surrender. "This is a sad moment," he said, "but I am comforted that I have done everything humanly possible."