DEVELOPMENTS IN ITALY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23810, 2 December 1942, Page 3

DEVELOPMENTS IN ITALY

HINT BY MR CORDELL HULL LIKELIHOOD OF COLLAPSE DISCUSSED (N.2. Press Association—Copyright.) (Roc. 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 30. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull), at a press conference, hinted that “the lid may be blown off Italy soon.” He indicated that the United States Government was expecting explosive developments in Italy's internal situation. Asked about Albania, Mr Hull said it was the high duly of every Albanian to turn against the oppressors and to shoot on sight every Italian soldier there. “Authorised quarters in Washington express the opinion that Italian resistance will collapse within six months if definite peace terms arc offered to Italy.” reports the Washington correspondent of (he “New York Times" (Mr Harold Callender). “It is believed that a breakdown of German morale would likewise be hastened by an explicit statement of the treatment which will be accorded to vhe defeated Reich. "For these reasons it is fell that the Allies should reach extensive agreement on any peace terms, so that the Democratic leaders will not be compelled to frame hasty, makeshift decisions or to repeat ‘the amateurish and faulty peace of 1910.’ “Mr Churchill’s reference yesterday to the immediate need for devising international instruments and national settlements to prevent another war is warmly welcomed here, inasmuch as Mr Churchill was previously reported to be brushing aside all talk of peace terms on the ground that he was busy winning the war and would leave his successor to settle the pence. His speech indicates that he‘ has now changed this attitude, partly because Allied pressure on Italy from Nona Africa may bring peace nearer. “It is assumed here that peace terms for Italy will be far more generous than for Germany, since Italy is regarded as an accessory after the fact, and the Italians as a less incorrigible nation.” Italian Socialist Manifesto

The text of a manifesto from the subterranean Italian Socialist Parly, which has reached London, urges party members to adopt civil disobedience by ignoring Fascist decrees and regulations. and refusing to pay taxes or paying laic. Workers in State or war factories are advised to slow down production. The manifesto says: “Military defeat is in sight. It will bring what millions of Italians are ardently awaiting—the end of the despicable., corrupt, and oppressive Fascist regime.” A correspondent of the “Daily Express” understands that England and America are working in close contact in an intensive campaign to wean the Italian people from Mussolini. According to foreign military circles in Istanbul, quoted by the correspondent of the “New York Times,” the German forces in Italy total more than 300,000, including. S.S. troops and special police, in addition to 90.000 Gestapo agents and administrators. Troops, aeroplanes, and supplies arc pouring into Italy across the neck of the Adriatic. The Germans arc reported to bo engaged in a massive transfer of aeroplanes, troops, and supplies southward ar.d south-westward in preparation for a general offensive designed to cripple the Allies before they are able to extend their operations in North Africa to Sardinia, Sicily. Italy, and the Balkans. Experts believe that Germany will open a full-scale assault with an attack against Spain and the Balearics. The Istanbul correspondent of “The Times” says: “German distrust of Italy is shown by the fact that the Gcrmgns have taken over the defence of the Greek coasts and ports and also control of Greek economic affairs." ! Berne reports, quoting semi-official Italian sources, say that. Hitler has convoked a meeting of his High Command at Bcrchtesgaden in reference to the operations in Africa. Observers in Rome predict an early withdrawal of the Axis forces from Tunis and Bizcrtc.

FRENCH FLEET

SUBMARINES ARRIVE AT ALGIERS (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 30. The first official list of naval casual, ties at Toulon, issued by Vice-Admiral Marquis, shows that one officer and five ratings were killed, and 26 wore wounded. Radio Algiers announced to-day that two Frertch submarines from Toulon have arrived at Algiers. They arc the Casabiance and Marsoin, The Marsom is of over 2000 tons, and the Casabianco, which is smaller, was refitted in 1035-37. Another submarine. Ins, reached Barcelona, where it was interned. A message from Madrid says a French submarine from Toulon put into Valencia and left again within 24 hours, presumably for North Africa.