Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1940 PEACE WITH ITALY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1940, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1940 PEACE WITH ITALY.

’J’HERE have been times when the world was somewhat bored with Mussolini’s speeches, these being mostly threats and bluster. To-day, however, all would like to hear from him exactly what he thinks of the situation in and outside Italy. The reverses in Greece have been followed by a disaster in the Western

desert, and this is but a beginning to what is likely to happen when the British are ready to assume the offensive, in earnest. Meanwhile, the Greeks continue to advance, and'it looks as if the Italians must endeavour to take up Winter quarters on the coastal plains, where the flat country would give theirmechanised forces certain advantages. The Greeks will be lucky if they can keep the Italians on the retreat much longer. Meanwhile, the internal situation in Italy is arousing interest. It cannot be supposed that all the high officers who, have resigned will be content to go into obscurity, without making some effort to retrieve their country’s misfortunes. If it is true that Graziani also tendered his resignation, the Italian disunity is even greater than appears on the surface. It is reported that fear of German “aid” was partly responsible for Badoglio’s withdrawal, and it is evident that the Italian nation is I 'K/ ■' j

suspicious of German intervention! on Italy’s behalf. They know what German “protection” has meant to smaller lands, , and realise that once German troops were in Italy, national liberty would be menaced. The two allies never did like each other, and present circumstances will‘not tend to'remove misunderstandings. Meanwhile, invitations to neighbouring statesmen to visit Rome, appear to have been suspended. Some London newspapers are urging that the British Government should use the opportunity of inciting the Italian people to revolt against continuation of the war against Britain, a struggle comparatively few Italians desired. It may be assumed that what can be done in this direction will be attempted, but it is likely that the restrictions on listening-in to British broadcasts will be tightened by the Fascist authorities. The Vatican may be able to use its great influence to bring about peace for Italy, but there are difficulties, first, to overcome. Advice from the U.S.A, might also be listened to, but it would be premature to expect any immediate results. Peace, at present, would mean the end of Mussolini’s power, and he will not jettison that, until compelled. There was a debate in the House of Commons, last week, on the question of peace terms, the House voicing public opinion generally by rejecting very decidedly, any suggestion of approaching Germany in this direction. A useful purpose might be served if Mr. Churchill, Lord Halifax, or some other leader, now openly invited Italy to make peace, ,on honourable terms. Acceptance of such invitation would make a great difference to the war-outlook, and would hasten the day, when the Nazis could be brought to book. ' •