GERMAN SIDE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20257, 27 May 1940, Page 7

GERMAN SIDE

ITALIAN TREND THREATS OF WAR POSSIBLE IN JUNE TALKS WITH HITLER CHIEFS OF DEPARTMENTS MEDITERRANEAN CRY (Elec. Tel. Copyright-United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 27, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 26. The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that observers expect Italy to enter the war against the Allies by June 12.

With western-bound Italian transAtlantic shipping halted till then, it is widely rumoured that Signor Mussolini is making an announcement on June 11, if not sooner, virtually mobilising the nation for war.

Turopean observers also find increasing signs that Italy is preparing for war. A Berlin report states that Signor Mussolini received the chief ot the air department in the Italian War Office and the chief of the department for general mobilisation The use of motor cars is reported to be prohibited throughout Italy after June 1.

It is believed that the Italian armed forces are already on a war footing with general mobilisation perhaps unnecessary. The editor of Count Ciano’s paper, Signa Ansaldo, in a broadcast address said: “We are under Signor Mussolini’s guidance and will break the chains binding us in the Mediterranean when the time comes.” The Rome radio points out that Italy is aiding Germany by the immobilisation of 1,200,000 French soldiers on the Italian-French border.