AXIS DESCRIBED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 99, 27 March 1939, Page 7

AXIS DESCRIBED

ITALIAN WATCHWORD. MORE ARMAMENTS. Received March 27. 12.15 p.ui. ROME, March 26. In the course of his speech to-dav. the Duce said the axis was not merely the relation between two States, but the relationship between two revolutions which were completely antithetic to all other contemporary civilisations. What had happened in Central Europe was inevitable. If Hie great democracies wept over the premature and rather shameful end of what they considered their most cherished creaturo that was an excellent reason for Italy not to associate herself with their tears. “If they hope for a coalition to be created against the authoritarians, the totnlitarians will accept the challenge and will pass to the defence and counter-attack throughout the world. “Tn my Genoa speech I spoke about a barricade separating Italy and France. This can be considered fairly demolished within days, maybe hours. The magnificent infantry of Spain will give the last stroke. “I want the world to know that the Italian Note to France set out her problems as Tunis, Djibouti and the Suez Canal. “France is perfectly free to refuse to oven discuss the problems, as she has done thus far, with perhaps overcategorical ‘nevers,’ but trance wil have itself to blame if the ditch now dividing Italv and France becomes so wide that it will be hard or impossible to bridge. “The Mediterranean is vital for Italv geographically, militarily, politicailv and economically. M hen we say the Mediterranean we include the Adriatic, where permanent but not exclusive Italian interests are recognised by Y ugoslavia. “Tt is necessary to arm. The watchword is, ‘More guns slnps and aeroplanes,’ regardless of cost and bv whatever methods, even if it entails the complete change of the so-called civilised life. “T ask von—do von want honour, rewards, ail easy life; is anything impossible to youThe concourse answered with a thunderous “No.” Nice! Savoy!” Sicvnor Mussolini appeared fonr H™ eS or fthe balcony smiling and saluting.