HOW ITALIAN PEACE PLAN WAS FOILED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 33, 9 February 1943, Page 3

HOW ITALIAN PEACE PLAN WAS FOILED

CABINET DISMISSALS

Crown Prince Appointed To Command In Russia N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, Feb. S. Mussolini has appointed Crown Prince Umberto commander of the remnants of the Italian forces in Russia, says a report which has been received in London. The Daily Express correspondent in North Africa says it is persistently rumoured that Umberto attended the conference at Casablanca between Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt. Umberto's removal to Russia is believed to be linked with Mussolini's dismissal of nine Cabinet Ministers last week-end, and the dismissal a week ago of General Cavallero, former Italian UnderSecretary for War. The Daily Mail says Mussolini's dismissal of Ciano, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grandi, Minister of Justice, and other Cabinet Ministers foiled a well-matured peace plan which was engineered behind his back. Nipped in the Bud by Mussolini Quoting Swedish sources, the Daily Mail says Mussolini first heard of the peace plan eight days ago. He quickly nipped in the bud the .military preparations for it by dismissing General Cavallero.

After his last meeting with Hitler, Cavallero stressed the necessity for making peace, because of the impossible situation on the Russian front. Ciano, who met Hitler at the same time, agreed with Cavallero. The following weeks were occupied in endless argument between Mussolini and Ciano. Ciano, Grandi and Cavallero apparently realised that the only hope for Italy rested in the House of Savoy, and promptly entered into negotiations with King Victor Emmanuel. Both sides -igreed that the peace plan depended on the attitude of the Pope, and dowagers connected with the House of Savoy obtained an audience with the Pope. At this point Mussolini struck. Comment in London In a comment on the Italian situation the New Zealand Press Association representative in London writes:—lt may be that Ciano, Grandi and others formed a peace move behind Mussolini's back, or that the changes were ordered by Germany, or that Ciano quarrelled with his wife Edda, Mussolini's daughter, and also with Mussolini, or that there was a desire to find scapegoats, or that .by appointing Ciano to the Holy See Mussolini wants to build up relationships with the Vatican whereon to rely in the event of civil trouble. Whatever the cause may be, the fact remains that Italy, one of the most occupied of ad the occupied countries, must still dance to Berlin's pipings. IYe Rome radio says Ciano, former Foreign Minister of Italy, has been appointed Italian Ambassador to the Vatican.