AXIS THREAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23346, 15 May 1939, Page 11

AXIS THREAT

IL DUCE SPEAKS "CUTTING OF KNOTS" PEOBLEMS IN EUEOPE MARCH WITH GEBMANY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 15, 1.45 a.m.) ROME. May 14 Signor Mussolini, opening an economic self-sufficiency exhibition at Turin, said that millions throughout the world, in conflicting optimism and pessimism, were asking: "Whither are we going—to peace r«r war?" This was a grave questiu., especially for those responsible for decisions.

"In order to sever a knot, it is not always necessary to use a sword," said II Duce. "Nevertheless, it is necessary to cut certain knots in Europe, because harsh reality is sometimes preferable to a long period of difficult suspense. This is also Germany's viewpoint.

"Fascism's doctrines and my will remain inflexible. We shall march with Germany on every question in Europe. Through our military alliance, the Axis has become an unbreakable union." Universal War not Justified Signor Mussolini prefaced his remarks by saying that an objective review of the situation showed there did not at exist in Europe problems of such magnitude as to justifj' a war which would become universal.

The Italo-Gcrman Alliance would be signed in Berlin before the end of the month, and the result of it would bo the confusion and humiliation of those who were continually attempting to spy out bends or breaks in the Axis, said 11 Duce. He warned people against the continuation of "ridiculous illusions and superficial casuistry." Fear Unknown "We do not desire peace simply because of our internal situation, which of course is well known as catastrophic," lie said, and the crowd cheered the irony. "Our adversaries have vainly waited 17 years for a catastrophe, and they will have to wait a long time. We do not desire peace because of fear of war, which is unknown to us." (Boos and cheers.) "Armchair strategists, studiously examining portions of our frontiers, mention easy passage through the Po valley," II Duce proceeded. "This would not be possible, when there exists a compact people of 45,000,000 on this side of the Alps. Piedmont's military history has shown that it would not be healthy for anyone to walk into I Italy. Attitude of Democracies "We must ask whether the great democracies share the sincere desire for peace that exists in the totalitarian States. I confine myself to saying that, judging from their acts, it is permissible to doubt it. Wars are won not only with gold. The only gold worth while is will and courage." Signor Mussolini said the map of three continents had been modified in recent times, but Italy, Germany and Japan had not abstracted one square metre nor a solitary individual from the sovereignty of the democracies. "Therefore, how do they explain this furious outbreak of selfishness?" ho asked. "Perhaps wo do not know the methods by which they built up their own empires, nor the methods by which those empires have been maintained. Sneer at Peace Front "Since the crumpling of the Versailles system, which constituted a pistol pointed against Italy and Germany, an effort is being made to substitute guarantees, moro or less sought and niore or less multi-lateral. That the democracies are not sincerely devoted to peace is shown incontestably by the fact that they have already started what can be called a white war, or an economic war. "The formidable bloc of 150,000,000 people, rapidly increasing, from the Baltic to the Indian Ocean, will not let itself bo overpowered. The latest system of guarantees will collapse like that of Versailles. We are arming in order to be able to safeguard our peace and throw back aggression. "Whatever happens, I declare to you with absolute certainty that all our goals will bo reached," II Duce concluded.

NO ARMY RIFLE MEETING (Recoived May 14, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. May 13 Owing to training requirements the Army rifle meeting has been cancelled.