ITALIAN NEUTRALITY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 253, 25 September 1939, Page 9

ITALIAN NEUTRALITY.

AFFIRMED BY DUCE

LONDON, Sept. 23. Signor Mussolini, in the.first speech he has made since his vow of silence, said to-day that Italy has no reason to change the policy/of neutrality fixed by Cabinet on September 1. The British and French Governments, with the prudent intention of not spreading the conflict, have done nothing more in face of Russia’s fait accompli, but they have consequently compromised their moral justification in acting against the German fait accompli, he said. The moment had arrived to end the European hostilities. The Rome correspondent of the New York Times says that the closest analysis of Signor . Mussolini’s speech gives no clue as -to his reason for the continued insistence on the uselessness of continuing the war. - It is a mistake to regard the speech as particularly pro-German; rather it is pro-Italian, for Signor Mussolini wants the war ended now, otherwise he intends to stay neutral. The reduction of the Dodecanese garrison and the similar withdrawal of troops from the Greek frontier are directed at the maintenance in the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean of peace, and, as such, they can be regarded as a friendly gesture to Britain and France, ’the only threats to whom in that area comes from Italy. Thus, as the menace of war in the Balkans increases, Italy’s withdrawing could hardly be a clearer indication that whatever happens in the Balkans Italy is remaining neutral.