AXIS PEACE ENVOYS

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1943, Page 5

AXIS PEACE ENVOYS

Stories Baseless ITALY'S GREAT ANXIETY. LONDON, .J'urie 20. French, British and American authorities in North Africa categorically denied the “highly imaginative” rumours that Italian peace envoys had arrived in Africa. The British United Press correspondent at Algiers says that Allied quarters seemed surprised that such bizarre rumours were taken seriously. Mr Garvin, in the “Sunday Express” reproves over-enthusiastic people. "With 'too much facility, they imagine speedy and powerful landings. The unrealistic school ignores the protracted stubbornness which belongs to the unexampled nature of the tremendous deeds we propose. Weeks and months that may be required for basic beginnings they telescope into days. Our own people—the same applies to Americans—must not allow their minds to jump the size and length of the matter.”

The “Sunday Times” says: “There is unrest in Italy, but revolt is unlikely,” adding that despite the obvious growing difficulties of M.ussoline’s regime, it is generally believed in London and Washington that re_ volt, except in the event of a successful invasion, cannot be expected.” Our propaganda policy against Italy emphasises that we are fighting Fascists, but not the Italian people, in the hope that anti-Fascist forces within Italy will attempt to unite. There ’is overwhelming pessimism and discontent in the country, but, —what might turn out to be a critical problem for the Allies —it seems clear that, no anti-Fascists’ front has yet been achieved.” Italy is obviously in a considerable state of perturbation. The Germans are showing considerable interest in Italian morale, with repeated newspaper assurances that Italy cannot make a separate peace, because of her economic dependence on Germany. A Berne report says that the morale of the Italian Army is deteriorating. Numerous cases of desertion are reported, particularly from Sicily and Sardinia. The Vichy radio reports that the Allies are dropping pamphlets on Italian territory, inviting the population to co-operate with them.

The Stockholm • correspondent of the “New York Times” says that uncensored reports, reaching Sweden from Rome, indicate the increasing hostility of the Italian population to Germans, partly militarists and partly evacuees, from bombed German districts who are thronging the Italian towns. The correspondent adds: Germans are so unpopular that because of similarity in sound of Swedish and German languages, Swedish visitors to Rome prefer to speak English in public places, finding that language less annoying to- the Italian public. Swedish newspapers state that Mussolini .yesterday declared another six provinces ’ war zones under martial law, which extends the war zone right along the Adriatic coast.

The Rome radio commentator todqy said: “The enemy is using stupid dirty methods in carrying out a war of nerves against our morale. The subtle and dangerous Anglo-Saxon campaign by thousands of direct and indirect ways is penetrating and spreading like poison gas. We must control our nerves.” 1 ,

According to the Berlin radio, the Italian High Command is offering rewards to Italian .soldiers who discover parachutists and other enemy agents in Italian ports and cities. The rewards vary from ten to a hundred sterling. The Rome radio announced that Mussolini’s Cabinet approved a measure enabling certain high officials to be retired, “thus making it possible to relieve from their duties, leading personalities who view the particular needs at the present moment and show themselves inadequate to exercise their functions.” Air Attack on Italy MESSINA AND MAINLAND CITIES BOMBED. LONDON, June 20. The Mediterranean air forces have dealt another hard blow against the ferry terminus linking Sicily and the Italian mainland. On Friday night Flying Fortresses gave Messina, in Sicily,' a severe pounding, and in daylight yesterday American heavy bombers attacked Reggio and San Giovanni, in the toe of Italy. The American aircraft plastered the south-eastern area of Reggio harbour, and scored hits near the railway station. Bombs fell near the ferry terminus and the railway sidings at San Giovann', and among ships in the Strait of Messina. One enemy fighter v&.s shot down, and four others were probably shot down. On Friday night Wellingtons attacked Syracuse, in south-eastern Sicily, hitting the docks and port installations. No Allied aircraft was lost.