SOHO EXCITEMENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20271, 12 June 1940, Page 11

SOHO EXCITEMENT

POLICE ROUND-UP BEWILDERED ITALIANS (Reccl. June 11, 3 p.m.) LONDON, June 10. A great round-up of Italians was begun after II Duce’s speech declaring war upon Britain and France. The Italian Embassy and the Ambassador’s residence were feverishly active. Smoke poured from chimneys. There were no demonstrations and no increase on the police guard. Italian journalists went to the Embassy prepared to quit England immediately. The British Ambassador in Rome, Sir Percy Loraine, arranged for British journalists to come to England with diplomatic staffs provided that Italian journalists in Britain were granted similar facilities. The excitement was intense in Soho and Bloomsbury. Hundreds of Italians came from shops and restaurants and gathered in the streets in apprehensive, bewildered groups. Members of Scotland Yard requisitioned cars and sped throughout London. They brought in many Italians who first heard of Italy’s entry into the war from the police arresting them. Hundreds of police raided an Italian club in Charing Cross. Italian supervisors of West End restaurants were taken into custodial detention several days ego.