ITALIAN COLONIES

Evening Star, Issue 25301, 9 October 1944, Page 5

ITALIAN COLONIES

THE ALLIES' INTENTIONS MR EDEN'S STATEMENT CAUSES EMOTIONAL REACTION (Rec. 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 8. The Rome correspondent of the ' New York Times ' says the Prime Minister, Signor Bonomi, in an interview, expressed the profound emotional reaction which all Italians feel as the result of Air Eden's statement that her colonies Avill not be returned to Italy. " I still do not know exactly what Mr Eden said," declared Signor Bonoini. " I do not know if he referred solely to the Ethiopian Empire, which democratic Italy never thought of reclaiming, or all the Italian colonies, such' as Eritrea, Somaliland, and Libya, which Italy occupied during the liberal period. I do not know if Mr Eden's words reflect the English ideas of the Allies' decision. Italian public opinion is very sensitive to every word or pact which gives the impression that others' are disposing of us entirely against our will. Italy's position still gives the impression that she is a conquered country at the mercy of the conquerors, but this does not represent the effective reality of the change that occurred. The reality is that Italy, freed of the Mussolini yoke which prevented any manifestation of Italian will, found herself immediately beside the Allies on war aims and pursuing the same ideals. .How, therefore, can -such a people bo constantly reminded that they are a defeated peop'e? I trust the Americans, will appreciate this unanimous sentiment."