DROOPING SPIRITS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20492, 28 February 1941, Page 5

DROOPING SPIRITS

ITALIAN PUBLIC LIST OF DEFEATS AFRICA AND ALBANIA DEPENDENCE ON NAZIS (Elec. Tol. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, Feb. 27. Reports are accumulating of signs of weakening morale among the civilian population of Italy which may account for the issue of a decree in Rome making provision for the reinforcing of the Italian public security policy by a further 3000 men. Signor Mussolini’s speech of Sunday did little to cheer the drooping spirits. A writer in the Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung goes so far as to admit that the events of the last few months have driven the Italians to the limits of their will power.

Italy’s reaction to the increasing German grip on the country has yet to be revealed, but it is significant that, according to a Zurich report, leading Italian newspapers now make no secret of Italy’s increasing dependence on Germany. These papers find great encouragement in the announcement that German motorised troops are now concentrated in southern Italy. The Frankfurter Zeitung declares that this has aroused intense enthusiasm throughout Italy. Position of Inferiority

A different impression has been created elsewhere. A feature of Signor Mussolini’s speech which has most impressed neutral countries is the frankness with which II Duce accepted his position of inferiority compared with Herr Hitler. It is remarkable, says the Swedish paper Handels Tidning Sergerstedt, how the Italian dictator stood in the shadow of his German companion.

The American press reaction is practically unanimous in regarding the Axis junior partner as a pathetic figure. There are satirical references, not commiseration, in many commenting editorials.

Reports coming from the Italian frontier suggest that the depression at Italy’s military: prospect has reached such a low ebb that women regard it as a matter for congratulation when they learn that their men folk have become British prisoners, feeling assured that they will at least be well treated.

Particularly humiliating has been the steady series of reversals suffered in Albania. According to latest reports from Athens the nuriiber of Italian prisoners in Greek hands now exceeds 23,000.