LOSS OF ONE ARMY

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23263, 25 February 1941, Page 9

LOSS OF ONE ARMY

SIGNOR MUSSOLINI’S ADMISSION “WILL FIGHT TO LAST DROP OF BLOOD” % (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received February 24, 7.30 p.m.) f ROME, February 23. Signor Mussolini, addressing a Fascist rally, said Italy will fight to the last drop of blood against England. He admitted that one army, namely the 10th, had been swept away with almost its entire strength of men and guns and that the sth Air Force Squadron had been almost literally wiped out,

‘T come and look you firmly in the eye and break my silence, saying we will fight to the last. We would have entered the war in September, 1939, if we were prepared, but after fighting Ethiopia we received an appeal from Spain which we could not deny. “We would have preferred the war to be delayed to build up material, but history takes one by the throat and forces a decision. It is our fate. We had most difficult fronts on all the seas and in the African desert. “The British attack in Africa pro-’ ceded one wo planned for five or 10 days later. The British thus reached Benghazi. The British claim to have lost only 2000 men in Libya is a lie. They must have lost 20,000. “These months exasperate our will and must intensify our hate for the enemy. This is indispensable to victory. We will probably have to fight a long time, but the Axis will win. Britain cannot. Italy and Germany will march shoulder to shoulder to the end. Italy has an army of 2,000,000 and, if necessary, 4,000,000. "The Germans know that Italy is supporting the Weight of 1,000,000 British and Greek soldiers, 1500 to 2000 aeroplanes, as many tanks, thousands of guns, and at least half a million tons of warships. German Air Force units and armoured detachments have put into effect in the Mediterranean the co-operation which the Fuehrer offered, proving that all fronts are common and the effort is common.

“American aid for Britain cannot compensate for all the losses inflicted by (he Luftwaffe. Britain will soon be aware c£ co-operation between Italy and Germany in the Mediterranean. New successes will come to us at all cardinal points. African territory will be retaken without difficulty when we want it. There are days of fierce fighting ahead on all bailie fronts, “Talk of a separate peace is idiotic. The war will end when Britain is defeated, unless the Dominions wish to continue at the risk of losing their independence. Neither Italy nor Germany intends to attack the United Stales.

“It is ridiculous to expect any further weakening of Italy. This will never occur. Real Italian fighters and workers must not be misled by a few anti-social persons complaining about rations. “The United States has formidable industries, hut her aid must reach England and also surpass Germany's production, This is impossible. British armies - must invade the Continent in order to conquer the Axis. No Briton would ever dream of such a step.” Signor Mussolini wont to great lengths to prove that careful preparations were made for the war in Libya, “which was always considered of the greatest importance strategically.” He said that more than 14,000 officers and 356.000 men were sent to Libya equipped with 1900 guns of all calibres of the most recent tynes, 15,300 machine-guns, 11,000,000 artillery shells, a billion rounds of ammunition for automatic weapons. 24,000 tons of clothing, and 759 armoured cars.

HOPE PINNED ON GERMANY POINTS IN IL DUCE’S SPEECH RUGBY, February 23. • While there is no official comment on Signor Mussolini’s speech, the following points are regarded as worthy of notice. First, the statement that Italy has in Reality been at war since 1922, “when the flame of our revolution first blew,” is clearly designed as a counter to criticism by anti-Fascist elements that Signor Mussolini needlessly led his country into war in June, 1940. Second, no prospect is held out that Italy’s position will improve from her own effort. Third, Signor Mussolini's hope seems to be pinned on "the good things of spring” and on German assistance, the strength and irresistibility of which are said to be illustrated by the fact that even Scandinavia is in' the German sphere of influence,

Fourth, admissions are made that in East Africa, Italy fights without hope of reinforcement. Fifth, the huge industrial potential of the United States is also admitted. Sixth, the statement that Italian prisoners in the Greek theatre of war numbered only a few thousand is not borne out by the latest Greek estimates of between 15,000 and 17,000. Signor Mussolini’s statement that “it was necessary to attack Greece, and all the army leaders agreed,” seems to indicate the degree of disquiet which the Greek disasters have caused in Italy. The Greek war was not justified, it would seem, except as an unfortunate military necessity. KING ALFONSO S HEALTH LONDON, February 23.. Doctors in Rome issued a bulletin to-night stating that King Alfonso’s condition continues to be grave, but abated. His intimate friends denied a Buenos Aires report, which stated that the Spanish Embassy press attache, in a communique, announced that King Alfonso had died. They said Alfonso listened in to Signor Mussolini's speech,. Noticing his family around him, King Alfonso said: “What! Am I as bad as that? I had better have, a priest.” He received Extreme Unction and prayed for the return of the monarchy in Spain A 'Rome message gives a bulletin issued by Dr. Frugoni to-day: "There has been no change in King Alfonso's condition sinpe last night.” ENGLISH WOMAN GAOLED BOMBAY, February 23. Mrs Freda Bedi, the first English woman to participate in Gandhi’s disobedience movement, was sentenced to six months’ gaol. - She was educated at Oxford, and recently was a professor at Lahore Women’s College. She married an Indian who also was educated at Oxford. -