STILL A MYSTERY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 24, 28 July 1943, Page 3

STILL A MYSTERY

\!VIUSSOLiNI'S WHEREABOUTS »- free. 2.20 p.m. LONDON, July 27. No authoritative information is available concerning the whereabouts of Mussolini and his Cabinet coli> leagues. ' ' .. f According to travellers reaching Madrid from Rome, the Fascist Party took steps to protect its leaders before the public were informed of Mussolini's resignation. The Duce went to the Villa San Rosin, on the road between Rome <and Ostia. Signor Scorza Eas placed under preventive arrest, id Mussolini's other collaborators ere confined to their rooms. i-Rome radio has not mentioned JKTussolini since his resignation. Berlin radio, which is commenting extensively on the Italian situation, says that the Duce, who is a Knight 'of the Supreme Order of Annunciata, as enjoying the rights due 'to him. fThe order is the highest in Italy, and Its holders are treated as the King's jeousins. • ' According to the correspondent of j£he Associated Press of Gre.at Britain ijon the German frontier, a wave of 'enthusiasm is sweeping Italy because Ibf the downfall of Mussolini and the Fascist Party, and crowds are parading the streets cheering Marshal Badoglio and King Victor. The Fascist salute has disappeared as if by unanimous agreement. [ FASCISM DEFACED. j?. Other reports reaching Madrid state fthat Fascist uniforms have disappearjed from the streets in northern Italy gfc and Fascist emblems have been ripbed down from monuments and public buildings, which have been draped •with the Italian national emblem. [There may have been some doubt abroad whether Mussolini's resignation would mean the end of Fascism, laut there is no doubt in the minds of the Italian people. The joy of the " crowds throughout Italy was greater than their anger. The Fascist militia ''and garrison of Rome made preparations to resist, but they crumpled up I swiftly when Marshal Badoglio sent units of the regular army fully prepared for action. They demanded the surrender of the militia and informed V them that their units were now incorporated in the army and were subject to army discipline. Demonstrations in Milan reached a climax with a march to the palace of King Victor Emmanuel's brother, where cheers for the Royal family lasted for hours. Marshal Badoglio throughout the 1 early hours of Monday morning ordered his troops to make no effort to stifle demonstrations unless there were acts of violence, but later in -the morning the military at first discreetly and then forcefully put the damper on the excitement. Marshal Badoglio's then served to remind the people that they were still at war and i 'were now under army discipline. Police and officials of the Ministry i of Foreign Affairs were besieged with Requests from German and Japanese presidents for passports. . A report received by the Stockholm »"Allehanda" from Berne states that Gestapo officials began leaving Italy immediately after Mussolini's dismis--4 sal, and they are still departing, having special permission to move at night time in order to avoid demonstrations. Some have been transferred to the German army. The Swiss frontier guards have been ordered not to admit to Switzerland Fascists fleeing from Italy.