BATTLE OF INKPOTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 1, 27 September 1943, Page 4

BATTLE OF INKPOTS

Fascist Leaders’ Final Meeting

ARREST OF MUSSOLINI (Bv Telegraph.--Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received September 26, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, September 26. An inkpot battle decided Signor Mussolini's fate at the last meeting of the Fascist Grand Council, says Reuter’s correspondent with the. Fifth Army. Au inside story of the Duce’s downfall has been told by an Italian general who was the commander of the Carabiniere who arrested Mussolini. .. He said that Mussolini went to the council meeting and announced Herr Hitler’s decision not to defend southern Italy. Pandemonium broke out in the council chamber. Members shouted and threatened each other, and threw inkpots. Mussolini tried high-handed tactics, and went home, saying: “Well, we have had the meeting; let us get on with the war.” Count Ciano, whom Italians now call “Judas,” went with Count Grgndi mid asked the King to intervene, and the King insisted that Mussolini should make the request in a constitutional manner.

Mussolini reluctantly visited the King and acknowledged that the situation way serious, but refused to resign “till I have seen it through one way or the other.” The King dismissed Mussolini, who was a rrested outside the Palace and driven off protesting in a closed car.