A LONG WAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20270, 11 June 1940, Page 6

A LONG WAR

ALLIES PREPARED VAST RESOURCES PROSPECT FOR ITALY ALLEGATIONS REVIEWED I LONDON WARNINGS DISASTROUS ASSOCIATION (Elnc. Tul. Copyright—TTnitod Press Assn.) (British Oflicinl Wireless.) Reed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, .June 10. The Ministry of Information has issued to the press a notice which concluded: “This is to be a long war unless Germany collapses unexpectedly. It will be fought as the Prime Minister, Mr Winston Churchill, declared, on the oceans, on land and in !he air with the vast resources at the disposal of the Allies until the German menace has been lifted from Europe. “There can be no hope, therefore, of Italy obtaining great successes in a short while at little cost. She will be called upon for great sacrifices—ar.d to whose advantage—Germany’s.

“The Allied Governments for some time have discounted the decision of Italy to enter the war as Germany’s vassal. Their preparations are complete and they will know how to meet the sword with the sword.” Signor Mussolini announced to the Italian people this afternoon that he was leading them into the war which Herr Hitler began last September by unprovoked aggression upon Poland. That original assault upon the independence of a nation to which the Nazi leader had given pledges of nonaggression has been followed by brutal and unjustified attacks upon Denmark, Norway, Holland and Belgium. Not Unexpected

Alongside the perpetrator of this series of violations of international right, Signor Mussolini to-day asked

the Italian people to take up arms. The Allies cannot complain that this challenge is unexpected. For many weeks past it has been obvious that the head of the Fascist Government was feverishly intent on preparing the minds of the Italians for war against France and Britain. Such preparation was necessary because neither Italian honour nor Italian interest, nor any reason which could appeal to the calm judgment of the Italian people required Italy’s participation in the war. Britain and Italy have never before been at war. The two peoples have long entertained feelings of sympathy and mutual esteem. Since the war began and Sigiior Mussolini announced an attitude of non-belligerence the Allied Governments have been at pains to respect Italian interests in every proper way in the application of the contraband control and other exercise of their undoubted belligerent rights. Ready for Discussion Signor Mussolini has known that the two Governments were ready at any time to discuss in a reasonable spirit all legitimate Italian aspirations. Signor Mussolini has preferred to wait until he could intervene on the side of his Axis partner at the moment of greatest embarrassment to the Allies in the hopes of aiding the rapid success of the German arms with a minimum of contribution from Italy, for which timely assistance he would hope to share in the plunder. Many Italians will have set their own value on that hope and will not relish the prospect of fighting for the aggrandisement of Germany, knowing that a Nazi victory must be disastrous to the historical interests of Italy as it would be to those civilised values which most Italians cherish. In his speech this afternoon Signor Mussolini gave assurance to Yugoslavia, Greece, and Turkey. It is observed in London that the history of the totalitarian policy gives a sinister significance to such assurances and this is not likely to be overlooked in Belgrade, Athens and Angora. Secret Session Deferred Owing to the new conditions occasioned by the entry of. Italy into the war and the important operations now proceeding in France, the debate in the secret session which was to have taken place in the House of Commons to-morrow lias been postponed. Further dispatches from Rome slate that Signor Mussolini spoke from the balcony of the Palazzo Venezia. Large contingents of troops marched to the British' and French Embassies and consulafes to guard against hostile demonstrations after the speech. The British Embassy was instructed that British nationals should be kept off the streets to avoid incidents. The Italian Government spokesman denied in Rome to-day that attacks had begun anywhere. He declared that the operations would not start until after midnight