Gestapo Rule in Rome

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 95, 22 April 1941, Page 6

Gestapo Rule in Rome

LONDON, April 12. “For years we have heard the regime proclaim miracles of Fascism,” writes an ex-correspondent —now in exile—of Signor Gayda’s newspaper. “The only miracle of Fascism is <k> have brought the Germans back into Italy.” (C. M. Frauzero, “Inside Italy,” London, 1941.) An American Lifts the Veil. A rigid ban on tho despatch of news from Italy has so far enabled tho Duce to conceal the stages by which he has let the Nazis seize his controls. A neutral journalist must get well away from the Axis frontiers before he can say what he knows. Thus, no really detailed account of shift of power in Italy was published until the end of March, when the Rome correspondent of the Christian Science Monitor went home to Boston and told the story. Here are some extracts from his narrative: “ . . . When I left Italy late in February the revolution was already over and had been won by the Germans.” “ . . . . They staged an ‘occupation’ by introducing political advisers, Government specialists, and economic experts. ’ ’ Junior Partnership. Germany can well afford to let the Italians preen themselves upon being equal partners in an invincible combination. Bhe has prevented an internal collapse in Italy; she has made sure that the Italian worker will continue to make arms for her and that, the Italian soldier will continue to give up his life on her behalf. Only at home does she speak her real mind: “Germany ’s war potential has enormously increased since Italy ’s entry into. war.

The Fuehrer is in sole command.” (Dr. Funk, March 5, 1941.) The Only Way Out. Is there for the Italian any escape from the grip of this intruder? The last word on this subject lies with the latest eyewitness—-again the correspondent of. the Christian Science Monitor” (March 31): Italy’s chief centre of power to-day is not, as the outside world imagines, in the hands of troops, but of Himmler*s secret police. In the event of any rebellion the Gestapo

would strike first.” Rome, though seething with resentment, is powerless in tlie Nazi stranglehold, and until German land power receives a reverse on the Continent it is fated to remain «o. Italians for their deliverance must took in the same direction as other occupied territories.