THE AXIS ALLIANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 9

THE AXIS ALLIANCE

MARCH FOR PEACE

"ALL OUR GOALS WILL BE REACHED"

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received May 15, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, May 14,

When Signor Mussolini opened the economic self-sufficiency exhibition in Turin he declared that in millions of people throughout the world there were conflicting optimism and pessimism. They were asking whether they were going to have peace or war. This was a grave question, especially for those responsible for the decisions.

"In order to sever a knot it isn't always necessary to use a sword," he 1 said. "Nevertheless, it is necessary to cut certain knots in Europe because harsh reality is sometimes preferable to a long period of difficult suspense. This is also Germany's [viewpoint. The doctrines of Fascism and my will remain inflexible. We shall march with Germany to give Europe that peace with justice whiclf is the profound desire of all peoples. Through the military alliance the axis becomes an unbreakable union." NO PROBLEMS JUSTIFYING A GENERAL WAR. Signor Mussolini prefaced his remarks by saying that the objective of I. his review of the situation was to showthat there did not exist at present in Europe problems of such magnitude as Ito justify a war which would become universal. • ,

An alliance between Italy and Germany was to be signed in Berlin before the end" of the month the result of which would cause confusion and humiliation to those who were continually attempting to spy out bends and breaks in the axis. He warned against the continuation of ridiculous illusions and superficial casuistry.

"The polemists of the great democracies are invited to give a fair opinion <of our viewpoint," he continued. "We do net desire peace simply because of our internal situation, which, of course, is well known to be catastrophic. (The crowd cheered in irony.) Our adversaries have vainly waited 17 years for catastrophe. They will have to wait a long time. ITALIAN DESIRE FOR PEACE. "We do not desire peace because of a cynical fear of war which is unknown to us. (Boos and cheers.) "Armchair strategists studiously examining portions of our frontiers mention an easy passage through the Po Valley. This would not be possible when there exists a compact people of 45,000,000 on this side of the Alps. The military history of Piedmont has shown that it would not be healthy for anyone to walk into Italy.

"We must ask whether the great democracies share the sincere desire for peace that exists in the totalitarian States. I confine myself to saying that, judging from their acts, it is permissible to doubt it. Wars are won not only with gold. The only gold worth while is will and courage.

"The map of three continents has been modified in recent times, but Italy, Germany, and Japan have not abstracted a square metre nor a solitary individual from the sovereignty of the democracies. Therefore, how do they explain this furious outburst of selfishness? They wished it,, though there is the question of moral scruple. DEMOCRACIES AND PEACE. "Perhaps we do not know the methods by which they have built lip their own empires nor the methods by wh^ch their empires have been maintained. Since the crumpling of the Versailles scheme, which constituted a pistol pointed against Italy and Germany, an effort is being made to substitute guarantees which are more or less sought after, and more or less multilateral. That the democracies are not sincerely devoted to peace is shown incontestably by the fact that they have already started what may be called a white war or an economic war.

"The formidable bloc of 150,000,000 people which is rapidly increasing from the Baltic to the Indian Ocean will not let itself be overpowered. The latest system of guarantees will collapse like the Treaty of Versailles.

"We are arming in order to be able to safeguard our peace and throw back aggression. Whatever happens, I declare to you with absolute certainty that all our goals will be reached."