FASCIST COUNCIL MEETS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 113, 6 February 1939, Page 9

FASCIST COUNCIL MEETS

Nothing Sensational Expected DUCE UNDER CURB FROM GERMANY Principal Utterance May Come Later By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received February 5, 9.30 p.m.) ROME, February 5. The Grand Fascist Council met at 9 p.m. (local time) tinder the presidency of Signor Mussolini. Hundreds outside cheered the members as they arrived. Il Duce’s personal bodyguard occupied the entrances to the palace. Well-informed circles do not expect a sensational speech in view of a curb unofficially' applied from Germany upon Signor Mussolini’s possible exuberance, which will probably be increased by General Gambara’s claim that Italian troops were solely responsible for the capture of Gerona. A brief communique is expected about 3 a.m. The Supreme Defence Council meets on Monday in order to examine the Spanish situation. It is probable that Signor Mussolini will reserve his principal utterance till after that. A later message states that the council continued after midnight. The suggestion that Italy’s colonial claims will be officially formulated after the meeting is not confirmed. ARDENT GREETINGS “Heroic Combatants In Spain” (Independent Cable Service.) (Received February 5, 10 p.m.) ROME, February 5. The Grand Council approved two resolutions, the first expressing profound satisfaction with Herr Hitler’s speech. The second was: “Meeting on the day of the fall of Gerona, the council sends ardent greetings to the heroic combatants in Spain and proclaims that the volunteer forces of Fascism will not abandon the struggle until it ends triumphantly with General Franco’s victory.” The council meets again on February 10, when it is expected that it will hear that the conquest of Catalonia is complete and that Italiar troops are on the Pyreneean frontier. FURIOUS ATTACKS BY PRESS Misleading Picture Of British Opinion (Received February 5, 7.30 p.m.) ROME, February 4. Shouting, ‘‘Down with France,” hundreds of students stormed a cinema in the centre of the city compelling the suspension of the American film, “The Woman I Love,” featuring Paul Muni and Miriam Hopkins, and exalting the bravery of French airmen. Afterward it was officially announced that the film would be permanently banned, because of “its friendly atmosphere to France.” Furious Press attacks continue. President Roosevelt has been elevated to the role of Fascism’s Public Enemy No. 1. London correspondents of Italian papers are giving a misleading picture of British opinion. Mr. Chamberlain is credited with the fullest acceptance of the Italian-German viewpoint. Readers are led to conclude that there are only two brands of thought in Britain, the Prime Minister and his supporters standing for peace and. friendship with Italy, disapproving French resistance to Italian claims, and proBolsheviks and warmongers opposing them. Britain’s proclaimed solidarity with France is discreetly overlooked