The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST.” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. MONDAY, JULY 26, 1943. Mussolini’s Resignation

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1943, Page 2

The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST.” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. MONDAY, JULY 26, 1943. Mussolini’s Resignation

THE dramatic, though not altogether unexpected, news of Mussolini’s resignation will constitute a landmark in the history of the war. There is not the slightest doubt that it will lead to Italy’s adoption of the advice offered to Italy by President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill, who have earnestly urged the Italian people to jettison the Fascist regime.and throw themselves on the mercy of the United Nations. This does not necessarily mean that the Italians will forthwith throw down their arms, though it is quite likely they will do so. The United Nations have overwhelmed the Italians in Sicily. The Axis troops have been driven into the north-west corner of the island, just as they were in Tunisia, but it is noteworthy that the defenders are mainly, Germans. This is a plain indication of Italians’ attitude towards the war, even if the capture of over 120,000 of them is not. Mussolini’s resignation signalises the end of Fascist control in Italy, for it is significant that King Victor Emmanuel, who has assumed rights largely usurped by Mussolini, has become Commander-in-Chief and appointed General Badoglio Prime Minister. Mussolini, like Hitler, was Dictator of Italy, not merely Prime Minister, it will be noted. It would seem, therefore, that a return is to be made to a democratic form of Government. That is what the leaders of the United Nations have urged. The resignation of Mussolini, however, should not move Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt from their avowed determination to accept nothing but unconditional surrender from Italy. Italy must surrender or suffer destruction. There is no other way open to her. The overwhelming strength of the United Nations, if applied fully, would, sooner or later, bring about a complete Italian military disaster. With the jackal out of the way, there is now presented to Italy an opportunity to practice self-preservation rather than self-sacrifice for the benefit of an ally who has had no compunction about deserting Italians when it has suited him to do so. Hitler has had good cause to curse Italy’s entrance into the war. Mussolini was not animated by altruism when he stabbed France in the back, and thus allied himself with Germany; he merely wished to share the plunder he believed Hitler would bring home for Germany. A pretty mess he has made of his country’s interests, and of the interests of Germany, for had Italy maintained neutrality, the United Nations would be in a position very different from that which is giving them confidence and hope today. That is a fact which need not be stressed. If Mussolini had kept his sword sheathed, Italians would have revered his name for all time, because there is no question as to the cleansing which Italian life and institutions received at his hands in the’ early days of Fascism. Ambition, however, proved the downfall of himself and his nation. In his hour of humiliation he must regret his refusal to accept the advice of Wolsey. Hitler, too, will ere long have cause to regret his failure to confine himself to a policy which would have gradually gained for Germany a foremost place among the nations. Instead, like Mussolini, he chose to use German youth as pawns in a sinful plot the wages of which is death. The time for the collection of these wages has been brought nearer by the dramatic developments in Sicily and Italy and on the Russian front, where the armies of Germany have suffered another serious set-back. If Italy should be eliminated now, thus opening to the Allies a front door approach to Europe, while the Russians increase their pressure in the east, the whole outlook should have undergone a drastic change before the leaves of autumn begin to fall.