The Italian People Feeling the Spur

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 153, 1 July 1939, Page 12

The Italian People Feeling the Spur

HATRED OF GERMANS Although there were official celebrations, congratulations and triumphant addresses, a correspondent in Rome of The Economist, London, contends that Italy’s conquest of Albania was received by the Italian people with a curious blend of indifference and extreme annoyance. He says that the indifference sprang from their impotence, the annoyance from the extent lo which their family life and daily bread have been affected. Not only have events in Europe increased the financial load the Italians must bear, the correspondent declares, but they have also stopped up one of the most important sources of what little money they can earn, namely, from tourist traffic. Instead of the welcome appearance at Easter of freely- 1 spending English and Americans, there was a flood of Germans from across the mountains who haggled over prices and took advantage of Italy's unfavourable trade balance with Germany to get everything at reductions. This, the i correspondent claims, is undoubtedly an » important factor contributing to the Italians’ intense dislike of the Axis. Ho says that it is this fear and dislike of the German connection which lies at the base of the Italians’ exasperation over Albania. “There reigns • in Italy, from highest to lowest, in peasant, shopkeeper, party official, ' from north to south, a universal and ' intense hatred of the Germans,” he 1 adds. “You need to be no more than 24 hours in Rome to meet it. Once you i •- ' have met it, 3-ou cannot lorgct it for a single day. It is not merely a question of the German tourist behaving as ’ though Italy were already a German protectorate. Its roots lio not in irritation, but in fear. ’ “In an alliance thero is always one who rides and one who is ridden, and ’ the Italians can foci the spur. For r example, though they cannot give ’ names, the Italians know that there are ’ commercial agents in every Ministry 3 and in every key position in the State, . that Signor Mussolini himself is spied ’ upon, and that, in self-defence, he is . coming more and more under the thumb . of Germany. The northern plains of Italy would be defenceless against a sudden swoop from the north, nor are the Italians easy about tlic South Tyrol. “This dependence upon the other end of the Axis terrifies the Italians, for their nightmare is to be dragged into war against France and England, just in order to serve the purposes of the Germans. It is firmly believed that the Albanian adventure was forced on Italy by Germany and that tho Italians we're given their marching orders during the German-Italian staff talks held early in fi Holy Week. The fact that Good Friday i- was choson for the invasion convinces t- the Italians that Herr Hitler fixed the n matter down to the last detail, and took h pleasure in delivering an incidental r smack at the Church of Rome. And, -. they argue, now that their dependence y is so great, what mad and sanguinary d adventure will they be driven into r, next? Hence the intense anxiety among v the people to catch at any straw of d friendship with England. Mr. Chamber1, Jain’s visit is still talked of with real y enthusiasm—‘un vero uoino di pace.’

“And tho Government? No one knows or understands its attitude. Yet, although the people aro impotent, it is inconceivable that the Government can ignore the weight and virulence of the Italian hatred of Germany. Signor Mussolini may be bound to the German chariot by mixed feelings of hurt, prestige and fear, but we need not suppose fchal. he enjoys being * taken for a ride.’

In fact, Italy’s position is not altogether dissimilar from that of Poland. A guarantee by a Great Power would put her in a better condition to come to terms with her powerful neighbour. Can this guarantee bo givon without wounding her extremely delicate sensibilities? That might be a task for English statesmanship.”