POINTS NOTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20489, 25 February 1941, Page 11

POINTS NOTED

LONDON REMINDERS RELIANCE ON NAZIS PLIGHT IN AFRICA DISQUIET OVER GREECE (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 2 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 23. While no official comment on Signor Mussolini’s speech in Rome to-day is available, the following points are regarded as worthy of notice. Firstly, the statement that Italy has in reality been at war since 1922, “when the flame of our revolution first blew,” is clearly designed as a counter to the criticism that the antiFascist elements needlessly led the country ipto war in June of 1940. Secondly, no prospect was held out that Italy’s position would improve from her own effort. “Good Things in Spring” Thirdly, hope seems to be pinned on “good things of the spring,” and on German assistance and strength, the irresistibility of which is said to be illustrated by the fact that even Scandinavia is in the German sphere of influence. Fourthly, admissions are. made that in East Africa Italy fights without hope of reinforcement. Fifthly, the huge industrial poten-r tial of the United States is also admitted. Sixthly, the statement that Italian prisoners in the Greek theatre of war numbered only a few thousand is not borne out by the latest Greek estimates of between 15,000 and 17,000. Signor Mussolini’s statement that “it was neefessary to attack Greece and all the army leaders agreed,” seems to indicate the degree of disquiet which the Greek disasters have caused Italy. The Greek war was not justified, it would seem, except as an unfortunate military necessity.