ITALIAN SOCIALISTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 34, 9 August 1943, Page 5

ITALIAN SOCIALISTS

EIGHT-POINT PEACE PLAN

LONDON, August 7.

The Italian Socialist Party, aiming to secure immediate peace with the abolition of the monarchy, has issued an eight-point political programme which calls for a general strike of all elements opposed to Marshal Badoglio's regime, says Reuters correspondent on the Italian-Swiss frontier. The Swiss newspaper "Volksrecht" gives the points as: —(1) Opposition to the war and the dictatorship; (2) opposition to Badoglio's present regime of Fascism without • Mussolini, which is directing precautionary measures merely against Fascist corruption instead of against Fascism itself; (3) opposition to the military, dynastic, and capitalistic hierarchy; (4) opposition to the so-called Liberal elements which Badoglio is employing to influence public opinion in his favour; (5) continuation on the' inner front of the fight for democracy; (6) an immediate • peace—which does not necessarily mean acceptance of any terms imposed by the victors —and termination of the military alliance with Germany and Japan; (7) restoration of political freedom and a democratic republic in which the workers, peasants, bourgeois, and intellectuals are united; (8) calling for a general strike aimed at the release of political prisoners and internees, cessation of hostilities, abolition of the monarchy, and restoration of the freedoms of the Press, trade unions, and political beliefs. OPPOSITION TO BADOGLIO. The statement claimed that the panic-stricken Grand Council tried to avert a popular revolution "by sacrificing Mussolini and also some of the Fascist* symbols while entrusting power to the militarists." It described Marshal Badoglio's regime as a final attempt to preserve the existing social conditions. "Badoglio served Mussolini for 21 years, assisting him to suppress internal opposition and accomplish his imperialistic designs, including the subjugation of Abyssinia, the Fascist intervention in Spain, and Italy's entry into this war," the statement declares. "Our course is therefore clear: We must oppose Badoglio's regime." The Free Italy Movement in London has resolved to call on the anti-Fascist elements in Italy immediately to open negotiations for peace and friendship with the Allies on the basis of the rights of people according to the Atlantic Charter. The resolution was forwarded to Mr. Churchill.

It is reported from Zurich that fiye political parties in Milan and Turin held a joint meeting today to form a committee of action. The parties are

reported to haye agreed that the general political situation demands energetio steps to comply with the wishes of the majority of the people, and it is reported that they intend to hand an outspoken memorandum to Marshal Badoglio on Monday. Twenty-three prominent Fascists and industrialists, including Count Ciano (Mussolini's son-in-law) and the general secretary of the Fascist Party, Signor Scorza, have been charged with war profiteering. This is reported to be only the first batch to face the Badoglio Government's tribunals. Rome radio quotes the Italian Minister of Justice, &lgnor Azzarite, as stating that the commission to try the high Fascist officials who used their office to enrich themselves would consist of judges whose integrity could not be doubted and v/hose decisions the country could trust. Reuter states that a - list of the names of those charged appeared in Italian newspapers yesterday. It included the directors of the Fiat, Viscosa, Montecattino, and Ansaldo concerns. Many corrupt dealings in other Axis countries have been revealed in Mussolini's private files/ An organised anti-German demonstration occurred as 1500 evacuees left Milan station for Vienna. Boos, catcalls, and whistling led to numerous arrests. Similar trains are scheduled to leave Rome, Turin. Florence, Bologna, and Venice during the night.