MORE BOASTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23818, 20 November 1940, Page 10

MORE BOASTING

MUSSOLINI SPEAKS VALOUR OF ITALIANS GREECE A "TRICKY ENEMY" . WILL BREAK RESISTANCE By Telegraph—Frees Association —Copyright (Received November .10, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. IS Speaking from the balcony of the Palazzo Venezia, Mussolini told 20,000 people that "it must not be forgotten' that Britain was exclusively responsible for the war, which could have been avoided if Britain, aided by France, had not attempted to encircle Germany. The initiative came from London, followed a few hours later from Paris. The peace will be an Axis peace. Britain will not avoid her catastrophe." Mussolini described the imposition of sanctions as the first and last attempt, of the old world, influenced by the ' superannuated ideas of the League of Nations, against new European forces represented by Italy and Germany. "Policy of Encirclement" Fven after sanctions, the Duce asserted. peace could still have been preserved if Britain had not, with the. supine complacence of France, initiated l|er policy of encirclement instead of • constructive revision of treaties. Ihis policy was not made with the object of retaining. Danzig for Poland, but with the object of destroying the political and military power of Germany. Peace could have been saved even in the. last hours of August, 1939, if Fugland, under pressure from the Polish Ambassador, had not stood out for one absolutely unacceptable condition to the conference proposed by Italy that the German troops already moving should not only be halted but actually sent tack to their starting place. Mussolini said that with the new mass production of aircraft Italy would soon have parity, if not superiority over other belligerents. ' "Mirror of Truth" Mussolini described Italian war bulletins as the perfect mirror of truth and said that he personally supervised their ' drafting. Only one ship was seriously damaged at Taranto. Its reconditioning would take.a long time, The other two could and would be swiftly restored t° their former efficiency. It was false that two other warships and two auxiliary ships were sunk, hit or damaged. Mr. Churchill's, method was to multiply everything b3' six. "I have , asked and obtained permission from the Fuehrer to take an active part in the battle against Britain with ' aeroplanes and submarines," Mussolini continued. "Germany does not need "V. these reinforcements." The" Greek Campaign According to papers seized in France, he said, Greece offered Britain the use of naval bases last May: - "We have all the material necessary to overcome Greek resistance," Mussolini added. "The 372 Italian dead, 1081 wounded and 650 missing on the Epirtis front in the first 10 days will be avenged. "Greece is* "a tricky enemy. The Greeks hate Italy more than any other nation. Their hate is profound and in-

curable. "I do not think it worth while to deny the reports of Greek victories rumoured abroad. General Soddu visited the Alpine division which is supposed to have been destroyed, and telegraphed that it is in fine condition. "I Do Not Weaken" "With absolute certainty, *we will break Greece's back in two months, or --- _l2 months, it does not matter which. - _We have the means to break the Greek resistance, and British help will not ' prevent a Greek catastrophe. Those who think otherwise do not know me. Once I have taken a decision 1 do not weaken, whatever happens. I'll prove that." . Mussolini confessed that the mountains of Epirus and the.muddy valleys had not lent themselves to lightning .warfare. He added; "No act of mine has led anyone to believe otherwise." Forces In Africa ' The armed forces of Italy's African Empire, which according to the forecast - of the enemy shoidd be broken up, had, instead taken the initiative. "It was we who attacked in Libya," Mussolini said. "Tho swift occupation of Sidi Barrani must not be considered a con- • elusion. It is merely the prologue to acts of valour by Italians. "Our soldiers on all fronts will make the nation proud. The Italian Navy is protecting the lines of communications in the Mediterranean and Adriatic in such an efficient manner that the enemy navy is unable to interrupt or hamper them. "The Italian Air Force dominates the sky. Four times as many Italian aeroplanes are now coming from Italian workshops as before the war." Tribute to Hitler Mussolini in glowing terms referred to Hitler as "an army commander who has been confirmed by victory in his genius-like- conception of strategy, which in some quarters may even have been regarded as too audacious or daring, and also revolutionary, and who has awakened his people and made them protagonists of a world revolution similar to Fascism." Beferring to France, Mussolini said it was already clear that the Axis did not desire a peace of revenge or rancour.- It was also true that certain claims and demands must be satisfied. Italy's demands must be accepted without compromise. Mussolini concluded with a special reference to the Fascist party which, he said, must intensify its activity among the masses. There had been a certain slackening of activities since tho outbreak of war due to many leaders going to the front. This was not now the case. Fascist Party's Aims "There will not be genera] mobilisation," Mussolini, said. "We have 1,000,000 men under arms, but in case of necessity we could call up 8,000,000. "Hard times will move nearer tho people than heretofore. To protect their moral health and material existence a certain kind of pacifism of the intellectual, universal type must be closely ■watched and fought. Nothing must exist outside the supreme goal for which we have armed. "The bloc of 150.000,000 resolute, implacable men will bring victory." A spokesman of the British Air Ministry stated that M'ussolini's boast that Italy wofdd soon surpass, and certainly equal, the air power of other European countries did not remotely resemble tho truth.