NOT UNEXPECTED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 137, 11 June 1940, Page 7

NOT UNEXPECTED

ITALY'S CHALLENGE

HOPE OF RAPID SUCCESS

SHARE IN PLUNDER

EFFECT OF NAZI VICTORY

(British Offlcl.T Wireless.)

(Received June 11, 1.10 p.m.)

LONDON,1 June 10.

The Allies cannot complain that Italy's challenge is unexpected. For many weeks past it has been obvious that the head of the Fascist Government was feverishly intent on preparing the minds of Italians for war against France and Britain. Such preparation was necessary, because neither Italian honour nor Italian interest nor any reason which could appeal to the calm judgment of the Italian people required Italy's participation in the war.

Britain and Italy have never before been at war. The two peoples have long entertained feelings of sympathy and mutual esteem. Since the war began and Mussolini announced his attitude of non-belligerence the Allied Governments have been at pains to respect Italian interests in every proper way in the application of contraband control and other exercise of their undoubted belligerent rights. Mussolini has known that the two Governments were ready at any time to discuss in a reasonable spirit all legitimate Italian aspirations.

Mussolini has preferred to wait until he could intervene on the side of his Axis partner at the moment 'of great-

est embarrassment to the Allies, in the hope of aiding a rapid success of the German arms with a minimum contribution from Italy, for which timely assistance he would hope to share in the' plunder. Many Italians will set their own value on that hope and will not relish the prospect of fighting for the aggrandisement of Germany, knowing that Nazi victory must be as disastrous to the historical interests of Italy as it would be to those civilised values which most Italians cherish.

In his speech this afternoon Mussolini gave assurances to Yugoslavia, Greece, and Turkey. It is observed in London that the history of Totalitarian policy gives a sinister significance to such an assurance which is not likely to be overlooked in Belgrade, Athens, and Angora.