ITALY’S CHOICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 May 1943, Page 5

ITALY’S CHOICE

BRITISH RADIO WARNINGS PEACE—OR DESTRUCTION LONDON, May 17. British broadcasts to Italy are increasing Italy’s uncertainties and fears about the Allies’ next move. The general tenor of the British talks is that the sooner Italy gets out of the war the greater chance she will have to save her country, and that the Italians must decide whether they will save tyrants by destroying Italy or save Italy by destroying the tyrants. An article in the Milan newspaper “Corriere della Sera” gives a warning that Italy’s supreme trial of strength is approaching, but suggests that an Allied attempt to land tanks and other heavy material would be an undertaking fraught with tremendous difficulties. “The imminence of the danger confronting Italy is being stressed withthe arrival of evacuees from Sicily and the south of Italy,” says the Zurich correspondent of the “Daily felegraph.” “The Italian authorities are trying their hardest to minimise the effects of the Allied air attacks. The Minister of Corporations (Gianetti), in a speech, claimed that Italians were rallying round the Administration. 'He said that'ltalian industry after three years of hard war showed no symptoms of disorganisation or weakness. The fuel situation was no more serious' th<in that oi 1915—18. On the contrary, other reports say that the Italians are increasingly bitter because military objectives are thinly protected against air raias, while the Germans are hedging Ruhr factories with the best and latest searchlights and anti-aircraft guns.

PEACE ENDEAVOURS

LONDON. May 17. “The Turkish diplomats in Istanbul believe that a move to establish a basis for Italian peace talks may be occurring,” says the Istanbul correspondent of the “Daily Express. They point out that Archbishop Spellman, Catholic Archbishop of New York err’ved at Istanbul almost simultaneously with Monsignor Clarizio the Vatican Under-Secretary oi State. It is known that they are going to meet. “A high official of the Italian Embassy yesterday contacted At ch bishop Spellman through tne Resident Papal Legate in Turkey (Monsignor Roncagli). It is not suggested that anything sensational will immechat°lv develop, but there is reason to believe that Archbishop Spellman is obtaining an up-to-date understanding of the degree oi Italian hopes for a separate peace this Summer.”

KING’S ABDICATION?

LONDON, May 17

The Morocco radio, with ■■ reserve, quoted a Berne report that the King of Italy had abdicated, and that theie was increasing opposition to Mussolini but the Rome radio announced that Kins’ Victor Emmanuel inaugurated an art exhibition in Rome attended by various ministers and fascist Party officials. Mussolini did not that the Algiers; radio, had broadcast a statement that the King of Italy had abdicated created gieat interest in London, but investigation revealed that the broadcast merely quoted a suggestion made m .he United States last week that Kin to Victor might abdicate.

LITTLE AERIAL DEFENCE

RUGBY, May 17. The numbers and composition of the forcesavailable for the defence of Italy has been the subject speculation. Without disclosing official intelligence,. it Italian divisions in the x>alKans nu m ber between twenty .and thn ty .. e Italian divisions are m and others in Corsica and Sardinia. In the air, the Tunisian campaign proved that the Allied forces in the Mediterranean are ° ut^ a ndmgly superior to the combined strength ol Germany and Italy in that theatre. Having lost Africa and being forced to operate solely from Italian territory it is unlikely that the Axis air forces will be able to achieve greater success in the defence of Italy than Mrica. The total Italian air strength is so small and so technically inferior, that its best efforts, even in conjunction with the Luftwaffe, could not adeauately protect Italy against Al.lied'air attack. Itally s most effective method of defending herself against air attack would be to bomb Allied airfields in Africa, but her bomber force Pi small, and vulnerable to ground and fighter attack. Also her fighters are neither numerous nor efficient enough to prevent unescorted Allied bombers attacking Italy. In short, Italy is unable to defend all targets wtihin bombing range, apart from the unsuitability of many Italian lighter types to engage heavilyarmed bombers. Against night attacks Italian anti-aircraft has proved inefficient, and she has never developed niffiit fighters and Germany has tew if "any to spare. The Italian airfields are unfortunately placed for defence against attack from the south as there are comparatively few south of Rome, and the southern end does, not lend itself to development of airfields. The same applies to Sicily and Sardinia. The best airfields' were constructed in the north for the defence against France.

CABINET’S LONG SITTING.

SEPARATE PEACE FAVOURED

(Rec. 11.45 a.in.) LONDON, May' 17. The Italian Cabinet, with King Victor Emanuel presiding, has been in non-stop session since Friday, says the Algiers radio. The former Chief of Staff of the- Italian Army (Marshal Badoglio), who has been called on to take over the Supreme Command, has participated in the discussions.

Mussolini's prestige is definitely sinking, says the radio. The idea of a separate’ peace, which America is said to have suggested, is making ever greater progress in Rome. ’ It is stated in London that there is no evidence to suggest that the Germans are withdrawing any of the troops they may have in Italy. There have never been any actual German Army formations in Italy, although a few ’units, probably meant to reinforce the German forces in Tunisia, are still there. Luftwaffe formations are operating from Italian territory, particularly Sicily. Reports received from Rome state that Italy is massing troops to defend the coast.

Calling for an immediate peace with the Allies, and urging the people to aid the invading troops, the secret Italian radio. “Free Milan,” says: “We know how deep rooted discontent is in Italy. We are all approaching an upheaval which will result with the overthrow of Fascism. The soldiers will . overthrow Fascism. They are just as discontented as you. The’ enemy is powerful, but we can prove to him our true belief in justice if we lend him a helping hand the day he appears on our shores.” The “Corriera della Sera,” in a leading article, warns Italians that the Allies are undoubtedly determined to attempt an invasion of Italy. It admits Allied air superority, but claims that the Italian Headquarters are convinced that an invasion is an unpossible undertaking.