ITALIAN DISMISSALS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1940, Page 7

ITALIAN DISMISSALS

LONDON PRESS COMMENTS . . It DEMAND FOR HARD BLOWS [BRITISH OFFICIALS WIRELESS.] RUGBY, December 10. The dismissal of the Italian Naval Chief of Staff (Admiral Cavagnan) and two other high officers of the fleet, following closely on the retirement of Marshal Badoglio as Chief of the Italian General Staff, and Count de Vecchi as Governor of the Dodecanese Islands, has aroused deep interest in London. Coupled with reports reaching London of growing signs of unrest among the civilian population of Italy, they are regarded in the Press as indicating a widening of the gap between the Fascists and the services.. The “Daily Telegraph ’ says: One purpose seems clear in all these changes—Mussolini’s shameless and cowardly endeavour to put the blame for his own blunders on the shoulders of his dismissed lieutenants whom the Dictators picked for the chiefs of the army and navy. That they should be ousted in the midst of the debacle of all arms is a strange plan for restoring confidence. We may not yet have heard all the names on Mussolini’s black list. Marshal Graziani is a soldier of some repute - and still holds his command, though his contribution to the prestige of II Duce has been an advance of 60 miles into the desert, followed by marking time there for three months. No wonder all the countries of the Near East rate Fascist Italy low. Il Duce may still make a desperate bid for victory and may still be able to send large forces against the thin lines of the Greeks, but they would march profoundly discouraged before they get a shot, convinced of the madness of the war, and the incompetence of their lea The S ‘“Daily Mail’.’ says: /‘The resignation of the Chief of the Italian Naval Staff gives the lie directi in Italy itself to the pitifully boastful claims of Italian naval victories which everyone else knew could never have been won. Now the Italians know, too, and the delayed action must make the explosion of the truth a much bigger shock. Now, while Italy is reeling, is the time for us to redouble our blows.” The “Daily Herald” says: “It is up to Britain to maintain the pressure on Italy as ruthlessly and stubbornly as the Greeks. So let: us strike hard while Mussolini is still weak. His most vulnerable point is. the vital line which his supplies and reinforcements bound for Albania have to take. Every new blow struck now at this ageing, discredited criml^ a , ] will send a chorus of applause and rejoicing right round the globe.

“CORDIAL CONVERSATION” ROME, December 10. It is officially announced that Signor Mussolini received Marshal Badoglio and had a cordial conversation with him. ... moke changes predicted . LONDON, December 10. The British Associated Press correspondent at Rome says: Twentyfour hours have passed without any further resignations, but some quarters are expecting more changes m the command of the forces.” There is no confirmation of tne earlier report that Marshal Graziani had asked to be relieved of his command. It seems doubtful if he ever did so, as he has sent a message oi thanks for greetings from the Fascist headquarters. -

NAVAL FAILURES LONDON, December 9. “The Times” Cairo correspondent says: Failure of their motor torpedoboats has bitterly surprised the Italians. In the sole engagement of any importance against H.M.A.S. “Sydney” and a destroyer in the Dodecanese Islands some time ago, these Italian boats were knocked out before they were near enough to launch their torpedoes. We who watched Italy s fine fleet whittled away have been surprised that the changes in the Command have not come sooner. The Italians in the past six months have not made a concerted action, or carried out a raid, such as Admiral Cunningham produced several times monthly. But it is not true that Italians run away. The British sailors agree that the Italians, in a number of recent actions, though they were outgunned, have adopted sound tactics in trying to draw the British warships into the range of their coastal batteries and Air Force.

MANY EXECUTIONS LONDON, December 9. It is reported from Athens that disorders provoked by non-Fascist ments in Italy continue and that many who are opposed to the Fascists have been executed.