ITALIAN FOOD SHORTAGE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24614, 10 July 1945, Page 5

ITALIAN FOOD SHORTAGE

" MASSES ON VERGE OF STARVATION” JLONDON, July 8. , The Italian Prime Minister (Signor Parrl) told a correspondent that recent price increases m Italy brought masses of the population to tne verge of starvation. The Government was taking immediate steps to curb tne He said vast sums of money would have to be raised by internal loans ana taxes to start a public or , k nnn nnn gramme to absorb some of the 1,000,000 Italians' noW without work. Coal supplies from outside countries were insufficient. „ 4 T1 . , Emphasising the view .that Italy should be granted international independence, Signor Parri said that tne possibility of Italy declaring war on Japan depended on the Allies Italy at present was unable to negotiate witn any country or resume commercial relations which were badly needed. Italy, which now recognised the Polish G9 V " ernment, would have given recognition earlier if her foreign policy had been In her own hands. LENINGRAD GREETS DEFENDERS (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, July - 9. The Moscow radio reports that Leningrad citizens yesterday followed an old Russian cuslpm and went out to the suburbs with bread and salt to greet the return of the Leningrad Guards Corps, which carried nut the long defence of the city and then went on into Germany. ar Govorov greeted the troops, who nau a tumultuous reception Veteran Superfortress Crashes.—-The veteran Superfortress, Dauntless Dotty, which has bombed Japan 44 times, crashed on Saturday on us return to the United States, where members of the crew were to be reassigned to duty after completing the required number of missions. The plane carried a crew of eight and two passengers. Only three of the crew survived. —Guam, July 9. Home Forces G.H.Q. To Disband.--The War Office has announced that it has been decided to disband General Headquarters, Home Forces, with effect from July 15. General Headquarters, Home Forces, came into existence in the summer of 1940, when Britain faced the danger of invasion. Its task was to command and co-ordinate the defence of the shores of the United Kingdom and drive any enemy who might land back into the sea. —London, July ». Alexander Back in England. —FieldMarshal Sir Harold Alexander. Supreme Allied Commander m tne Mediterranean theatre of war, is in England, Accompanied bv Lady Margaret Alexander he dined with them Majesties at Buckingham Palace, ine Court circular announcing this, for tne first time revealed the Field-Marshal s presence in Britain. The War .Office declined to give any information about his visit.—London, July 8.