ITALIAN STAFF DISMISSED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 December 1940, Page 5

ITALIAN STAFF DISMISSED

COMMENT IN BRITISH PRESS [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, 9th December. The dismissal of the Italian Naval Chief of Staff and two other high officers in the fleet, following closely the retirement of Marshal Badoglio and Count de Vecchi, has aroused deep interest here, and coupled with reports reaching London of growing signs of unrest among the civilian population in Italy they are regarded in the Press as indicating a widenirg gap between the Fascists and the services. The “Daily Telegraph” says: “One purpose seems clear in all these changes—Mussolini’s shameless and cowardly endeavour to put the blame for his own blunders on the shoulders of his dismissed lieutenants, whom the dictator picked for his chiefs of the army and navy. That they should be ousted in the midst of a debacle of all arms is a strange plan for restoring confidence. “We may not yet have heard all the

names on Mussolini's black list Marshal Graziani is a soldier of some repute ana still holds his command, though his contribution to the prestige of II Duce has been an advance of 60 miles into the desert, follQwed by marking time there for three months. “No wonder all the countries in the Near East rate Fascist Italy low. II Duce may still make a desperate bid for victory' and may still be able to send large forces against the thin lines of the Greeks, but they would march profoundly discouraged before they get a shot, convinced of the madness of the war and the incompetence of their leaders. The “Daily Mail” says: “The resignation of the chief of the Italian Naval Staff gives the lie direct in Italy itself to the pitifully boastful claims of Italian naval victories which everyone else knew could never have been won. Now the Italians know, too, and the delayed action must make the explosion of the truth a much bigger shock. Now while Italy is reeling is the time for us to redouble our blows.” The “Daily Herald ’ says: “It is up to Britain to maintain the pressure on Italy as ruthlessly and stubbonly as the Greeks. So let us strike hard while Mussolini is still weak. His most vulnerable point is the vital line which his supplies and renforcements bound for Albania have to take. Every new blow struck now at this ageing and discredited criminal will send a chorus of appLause rejoicing right round the globe.”