MORE RESIGNATIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 December 1940, Page 7

MORE RESIGNATIONS

LONDON, December 8. Yet another of Mussolini’s war leaders has resigned. He is the Chief of the Italian Naval Staff, Admiral Domenico Cavagnari. It was announced from the Rome radio this morning that he had been relieved of his position at his own request. This is the fifth such resignation in four weeks. British comment is that the Italian war leaders wish to leave Signor Mussolini with the responsibility for the disastrous Greek campaign. Meanwhile, a message from New York says the International News Agency’s correspondent at Athens reports that serious internal disturbances bordering on revolt have broken out at Milan, Florence, and Trieste. A number of persons were reported killed and injured at Trieste, where there were large-scale clashes between Blackshirts and crowds protesting at the war against Greece. The disturbances at Milan and Florence followed the resignation of Field-Marshal Badoglio, the Chief of the Italian General Staff, which deeply shocked the Italians, many of whom feel that Signor Mussolini’s policies are leading Italy to major disasters.

REPRESENTATIVE COMMENTS. “PROTEST AGAINST FASCISM.” LONDON, December 8. The correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” on the Greek southern front asked an Italian officer prisoner of war his opinion about the resignation of Marshal Badoglio. The officer replied: “It was only to be expected. Our defeat was due to the megalomania of Mussolini, who is taking a stand on principles. Fascism exerted pressure on Marshal Badoglio to agree to the campaign’ in Greece. Military authorities opposed the idea because it was fraught with difficulties, even if it was not disastrous, but the Duce wanted a success of some sort to impress Italy. Our defeat in Albania means a protest by the Italian people and army against Fascism. The destroyer of our country hopes to save his own face by throwing the blame on that grand patriot, Marshal Badoglio.” Reuter’s correspondent on ~ Italian frontier says some political observers connect Marshal Badoglio s resignation with rumours that Germany is willing to . help Italy in Albania only if the Italian forces are placed under German control. It is believed Marshal Badoglio wished to maintain independent command. C! From Ankara it is reported that the resignation of Marshal Badoglio sent a knowing chuckle through official Turkish quarters and gave a fresh impulse to Turkey’s determination to stick to her alliance with Britain, ffive Greece moral and economic support, and fight if the Germans attempt to aid the Italians by marching through Bulgaria. The capture of Santi Quaranta and the advance of the Greek Army to the north of the town are contrasted in the newspapers as showing the united effort and high morale of the Greek nation against the undoubted bewilderment of the Italianpeople.at the resignation of Field-Marshal Badoglio, Chief of the Italian General Staff, which is taken here as a tacit admission that the Greek claims are more likely to err on the side of under-statement than exaggeration. It is generaly felt that the loss to Italy of one of her most able commanders, who was largely responsible for the success of the Abyssinian campaign must have a depressing effect on the people, who have not been too anxious for a war of any kind, and bring a realisation that the Fascist political policy has plunged Italy into the Greek conflict without proper strategic preparation. 40 MORE RESIGNATIONS. A shrewd observer here gives the -following warning to Marshal Badoglio himself: “Remembering the untimely end of General Balbo, whose views on international policy had some resemblance to his own, he would certainly do well to avoid going up in aeroplanes.” / General Cavallero, who succeeds Marshal Badoglio, is expected to confer with the German Chief-of-Statt (Field-Marshal Keitel) soon, and also make a visit of inspection to Albania. A message frt>m Zurich says that reports of Marshal Badoglio’s resignation published there include the statement that 40 members of the staff resigned with him. Well-in-formed circles in Rome say that further important changes in the General Staff are expected. It is officially stated that Count De Vecchi has resigned as governor of the Dodecanese Islands. He will be succeeded by General Ettoiie Bastico. . _. Count De Vecchi was one of Signor Mussolini’s principal lieutenants in the Fascist revolution, and is described as one of the most pugnacious figures thrown up by Fascism. He was seriously injured in an encounter with Communists in 1921, when he fought in the streets during the early days of Fascism. His successor in the Dodecanese command, General Bastico, participated in the war in 1914-18, and commanded a Blackshirt division in Abyssinia. Fte had a high position m the Italian volunteers in Spain.

STORMY DISCUSSIONS , (Recd. December 9, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, December 8. The “Times” says: There is no reason to doubt that Badoglio considered he could no longer hold his position. A Rome report states that Mussolini had many stormy meetings with the High Command. Signor Fannacci sharply criticised the whole General Staff, and blamed them for defeats, while the Generals blamed the politicians for an ill-conceived and ill-timed ultimatum. The loss of Badoglio is bound to bewilder, if not depress, the Italian people, who held him in high respect. Mussolini’s pres-

ITALIAN NAVAL CHIEF ANTI-MUSSOLINI FEELING RIOTS REPORTED IN CITIES [BY*' CABLE. —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

NEARING ELBASAN.

tige is now more than never bound up with the Greek war. It would be a confession of abject failure to accept German help at this stage. NEW APPOINTMENTS (Recd. December 9, 11.10 a.m.) ROME, December 8. Admiral Arturo Riccardi has been appointed as under-Secretary to the Navy, and also Chief of Staff. Admiral Inigo Campioni has been appointed vice-Chief of the Naval Staff. Admiral Angelo Jachmo has been appointed commander of the Fleet at Mussolini has written a letter to Admiral Cavagnari thanking him for seven years’ service. TWO GENERALS KILLED

ROME, December 8. General Pietro Pinto, and General of the Air Force Albo Pellegrini, were killed, when a military plane carrying the Italian armistice commission of which they were members, crashed en route to Turin from Rome.

DODECANESE ISLANDS SURRENDER ADVISED. (Recd. December 9, 1.50 p.m.) LONDON, December 8. Two special correspondents —the “Daily Mail’s” Mr. Ward Price, and the “Daily Telegraph’s” Cairo correspondent—state that Count de Vecchi resigned as Governor after advising Mussolini of his inability to hold the Dodecanese Island against the British. Mr Ward Price simultaneously suggests that de Vecchi’s admission of weakness makes a British naval occupation of the islands imperative. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Cairo correspondent says that, when Italy invaded Greece, de Vecchi swiftly toured the Dodecanese Islands and drew up a careful list of dry oil-tanks and scarce food. Meanwhile, the natives were growing increasingly hostile. After the British occupation of Crete, de Vecchi informed Rome that the Dodecanese Islands were unable to take offensive action, or stand a prolonged siege. He therefore advised their surrender, in order that Italy could cut her losses.

HUGE MATERIAL CAPTURES.

LONDON, December 6. The Greeks to-day occupied all the remaining important heights in Mokra mountains and north-west of Pogradetz, captured two villages, an artillery battery, and a whole battalion of troops. The latest reports from Struna even say the most advanced Greeks are within 13 miles of Elbasan. Shock troops in the Ostrovitze mountains silenced further Italian batteriese, captured their positions, arid turned their guns on the retreating Italians. These guns and others which the Greeks have brought up now dominate the road from Premeti to Berat, protecting the main Greek movement to Klisura, which means “closed door,” in an important pass linking a number of other important routes through the mountains, including the roads to Valona, and Berat. Klisura, which has hitherto been regarded as impregnable, is now under Greek fire. The Greeks in the occupied villages are receiving a joyous welcome from the inhabitants. Most sources agree that the Italians abandoned Argyrokastron when the Greeks had taken 1000 prisoners, a number of heavy cannon, and ma-chine-guns and other material. A message from Athens, however, states that the capture of Argyrokastron has not been officially announced. An official spokesman said he was unable to confirm the capture of the town. The Greeks are thrusting north as well as north-west from Santi Quaranta, and they occupy heights 3000 to 4000 fett high west of Argyrokastron. Indeed, this Greek salient, it is now revealed, was responsible for the fall of Santi Quaranta after a most daring Greek manoeuvre which confined the enemy retreat to the difficult coastal road to Himara. Bitter rearguard actions delayed the fall of the port for three days. An Italian destroyer arid two freighters entered the port at noon on Wednesday, and took on the Italian headquarters staff, but the Royal Air Force sank the destroyer and forced the freighters to flee. The roads to Fort Palermo were choked with fleeing troops. According to a message from Athens, this Italian destroyer, which is half-submerged, is to be examined by experts,, to see if it can be used again. The Greek forces which entered Santi Quaranta were loud in their praise for the skill of the Royal Air Force in sinking the warship, and suggested that if it can be refloated it will be renamed Helle in memory of the Greek cruiser of this name sunk by the Italians in the middle of August. .

COMMAND OF MOUNTAINS. The latest advances give the Greeks command of the Ostrovitze mountain range and also the Hamna range on the north bank of the Devon River, which together dominate the Devoli Valley road from Koritza to Elbasan. These advances are beginning to threaten the oil field between Devoli and Shkumba, which is Italy’s only source of natural oil. Material captured from the Italians is estimated to exceed £2,>500,000 in value. So many motor vehicles have been abandoned in perfect condition that there is likely soon to be a shortage of Greek drivers. The night communique issued in Athens states: “Our troops, overcoming the enemy resistance on the River Bistritza, crossed the river and occupied Santi Quaranta and pushed their lines further north. The retreating enemy burnt the town after pillaging it. In the port was a

' half-submerged Italian destroyer and a large schooner. The latter was damaged by Greek guns from the hills overlooking Santi Quaranta. The fighting continues on the right front.” .It is reported from Athens that the Greeks are in complete occupation of Santi Quaranta, which tney have solemnly rechristened to the Greek name of Aghissaranda—the 40 saints. A Sofia message quotes an Athens broadcast that the retreat of the Italians has been accelerated on ail fronts and that the fall of Argyrdkastron is expected. GREEK ADVANCE LONDON, December 8. The capture of Delvino, which is 15 miles from Santi Quaranta, shows the rate of the Greek advance in southern Albania.

Reports received from Athens show that the Greeks are in full command on the whole of the front. They control the road from Santi Quaranta to Koritza along the whole of its length. Heavy rain and fog in the northern sector have failed to check the Greek advance. The Greeks have reached a point three-quarters of the way along the western shore of Lake Ochrida and are sweeping round in a wide movement toward the coast. ARGYROKASTRON EVACUATED. LONDON, December 6. The most important victory on land by the Allies since the outbreak of war was announced to-day from Athens. The important Italian base, Argyrokastron, the capital of southwestern Albania, has been evacuated. The Italians had been slowly evacuating the town for 48 hours, and the withdrawal was completed last night. Greek troops occupied the town at noon after heavy fighting. They took 1000 prisoners. Another report states that the town is in flames. Coupled with the withdrawal of the Italian’ headquarters from the seaport of Santi Quaranta, this means that the Italians have been thrown out of the bases from which they started their ill-fated attack on Greece.

Other reports state that the Greeks have made a general advance on the central sector of the front, and that the Italians are in headlong flight. Many officers of high rank are among the Italians captured. The Greeks have also occupied some important positions in the mountains overlooking the road along which the Italians are in retreat, and a whole battery of artillery was captured near Moskopolis. The advance is continuing in the west, and an important mountain pass is reported to be in the hands of the Greeks. Fierce attacks by Greek aircraft are assisting in speeding the Italian rout. The entire Italian Expeditionary Force is menaced, so well has the Greek High Command’s plan matured. That is the opinion of British front line correspondents on the Albanian battlefront. Despite the large fires started by the Italians, thus destroying part of the town, the Greeks captured an immense quantity of war materials at Saranda. A general Greek advance on the whole front is reported, although it is restricted in the north, also in the Pindus region, because of the mountainous country. Snow and fog are assisting, the Italian retreat in the northern sector.

The Balkan correspondent of “The Times” states that the Greeks’ main problem continues to be to find the enemy in sufficient force for a decisive engagement. The Italians are endeavouring to avoid a decisive battle before they have regrouped their forces* The* military- correspondent of “The Times” states that it would be arousing false optimism to suggest that an Italian rout is impending. Although Italy has suffered she is still militarily strong.

ARGYROKASTRON CAPTURED. (Received December 9, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 8. The occupation of Argyrokastron by the Greeks is officially announced cit Athens. The capture of Argyrokastron was marked by the wildest celebration seen throughout the war. According to reports from the Jugoslav frontier the Greeks took Delmino after bitter hand-to-hand fighting, in which 36 Greeks were killed and 300 wounded. The Italian casualties were very heavy. Well-informed Athens circles describe as a tissue of lies Italian allegations that the Greeks demanded the despatch of British troops to assist in Albania. They also deny the report that Greece has concentrated all her reserves on the Albanian front. ITALIAN CLAIMS _LONDON, Dec. 8. An Italian communique says: “The enemy continued pressure on our extreme left wing in the group of mountains westward of Pogradetz, but limited himself on the rest of the front to local attacks. In the Argyrokastron zone our troops, retook several positions as a result of counter-at-tacks.

MR. ROOSEVELT’S MESSAGE. WASHINGTON, December 7. Mr. Roosevelt, exchanging telegrams with King George of Greece, pledged the United States to support “a country so valiantly defending itself. It is the settled policy of the United States to extend aid to those Governments and peoples defending themselves against aggression.” ' King George replied expressing his appreciation “of the warm sympathy find keen interest of a great nation.” DOCUMENT REVELATIONS RUGBY, December 8. The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to Press messages from Athens, has published a White Paper, entitled “The Italian Aggression against Greece,” setting out 183 documents, diveded into three chapters, and preceded by the text of the Italo-Greek pact of 1928.

The first chapter is stated to deal with the period from April 7, 1939 (the day of the Italian invasion of Albania) to June 10, 1940, the date on which Italy declared war against Britain and France.

The second chapter, dealing with Italian provocation, covers the period from June 11, 1940, to August 11. Finally, the White Paper surveys the period from June 11 to October 28i during the time Italian provocations- were openly carried out. The Italian aggression in Albania, the torpedoing of the cruiser Helle, the attacks on Greek shipping, and the violation of Greek territory by Italian aircraft, are all dealt with.