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Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 3, 29 September 1943, Page 5

BACK IN ITALY

German Claim About Mussolini AXIS SPEECHES ON FIGHT TO END (Received September 28, 11 p.m.) LONDON, September 27. Messages from Herr von Ribbentrop, Signor Mussolini and Mr. Shigemitsu, the Japanese Foreign Minister, in which they declared that the Axis remained unbroken, and would continue to fight to the end, were broadcast from Berlin radio tonight, on the third anniversary of the Tri-partite Pact. Ribbentrop asserted that Mussolini to-night-returned to Italy to help the first meeting of the republican Fascist government. Ribbentrop said that the Germans would not lay down arms until Bolshevist danger to Europe was finally removed. Italy was a glaring example of what Europe may expect from the British, and. Americans. “Let whatever hard blows there may be in store for us come. Our soldiers will fight on.” Mussolini said that the Italian Republican Fascist Party had decided to continue with all its strength the fight side by side with its partners.' Shigemitsu said: “We are at present counter-attacking and resolved to continue the battle till final victory. Come what may and whatever treachery the Badoglio regime may have committed, the Axis Pact remains unbroken. Japan is fighting a war solely of. self-defence. We see clearly .that the Anglo-Saxon Powers are determined to destroy the Axis Powers who stand in the way of their domination of the world. We at the moment are resisting fierce enemy attacks in the east and the west. By defending our right to live we will free east Asia from British and American exploitation.”

ITALY’S NEW ROLE . Allied Troops’ Coldness LONDON, September 27. The first issue of the “Eighth Army News” to be published on the Italian mainland sharply reminds the Italians that they are defeated enemies. “Italy has surrendered unconditionally,” it says, “but what do we find? Our soldier wishing to change his money finds it difficult, if not impossible. Italians quibble about the rate of 400 lire_to £l. Before Italy was. our ally the army could commandeer typewriters, printing presses, and paper. Now we have to be more careful, and in some cases pay for these things. “Many Italians are under the impression that we are going to spare the country the just retribution that a just victor normally demands. With all due sympathy for Italian sufferings under their self-chosen friends, we should set their minds straight on this. The Italians who sincerely cheer us today also cheered Signor Mussolini. Now they find that they backed the wrong horse. Many, of our comrades were killed . iby Italians, and therefore many soldiers bristle at the idea of having the Italians as allies.” • Message From Badoglio. The same issue carried greetings from Marshal Badoglio, who wrote: “In the common struggle which awaits us the Italian soldiers will march side by side with their British comrades against the German oppressors for the liberation of Italian soil and for final victory.” A correspondent in southern Italy of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that the British and American troops generally show considerable coldness to Italy’s conception that she is now an ally. Most of the troops outspokenly declare that they do not want the Italians as allies. The correspondent adds: King - victor. Crown Prince Umberto, Marshal Badoglio, and members of the Government are in a south Italian town which in effect is the provisional capital. Italian soldiers are in the town and armed Italian sentries guard all vital points. Italian troops man the defences. A British officer in this town told me, We are getting practically everything we ask for. About 70 per cent, of the Italian officers are co-operating with us.’ ”