ITALIAN UNEASINESS STILL GROWING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 January 1936, Page 5

ITALIAN UNEASINESS STILL GROWING

GERMAN GENERAL STAFF SAID TO HAVE REPORTED THAT MUSSOLINI HAD LOST THE WAR INCREASING ISOLATION ABROAD AND ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES AT HOME OPINIONS THAT NEW PEACE OFFER WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE BRITAIN DESIRES PEACE BEFORE ITALIAN BREAKDOWN (United Press Association —by Electric Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, 13th January. The “News-Chronicle” says that trustworthy sources indicate growing Italian uneasiness at the immobility of the armies and the difficulty of maintaining supplies over the crumbling lines of communication. It is understood that the German General Staff reported to Herr Hitler that Mussolini had lost the war in Abyssinia. Accordingly, the attractiveness of Mussolini as an ally had dwindled in Nazi circles. Moreover, Mussolini’s political position is becoming increasingly isolated. Austrian and Hungarian friends are growing lukewarm. The “Manchester Guardian’s?’ Paris correspondent says M. Chambrun (French Ambassador at Rome) had two lengthy conversations with M. Laval (Prime Minister). It is understood M. Chambrun detailed the position in Italy, which he described as going from bad to worse. Economic difficulties are rapidly increasing and the people are becoming more aware of the folly of the Abyssinian adventure and as a result the Government will soon be only too glad to receive a new “honourable” offer. Although the French are anxious to see the war end early it is now widely felt that Italy must be allowed to sink deeper into the bog before she is likely to listen to reason. Even newspapers which ardently defended Mussolini last year now condemn the folly of refusing to accept the Paris proposals of August and the Pontinia speech. Newspapers credit Britain with a desire to secure peace before a complete Italian breakdown, largely in view of complications Germany may create by suggestions that Anglo-French military and naval cooperation should be balanced by reconsidering the demilitarisation of the Rhineland zone.