COUNTER BRITISH SUCCESSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23870, 22 January 1941, Page 7

COUNTER BRITISH SUCCESSES

GERMAN CONTROL OF ITALIAN FORCES By Teleeraph—Prnss Association—Copyright (Received January 21, 8.30 p.m.) I.OXDON, Jan. 21 Following a succession of conflicting reports, an official statement in Berlin says Hitler and Mussolini met yesterday in the presence of C iano and Ribbentrop, the Italian and German Foreign Ministers respectively. The place was not stated. The announcement said: A thorough exchange of views resulted in a full agreement. Ihe talks were conducted in the spirit of cordial friendship between the chiefs of both Governments, and of the close military ties between the German and Italian nations." American correspondents in Berlin state that the dictators' meeting was chiefly aimed at discussion of plans for an all-out attack upon Britain, including an attempt at invasion. German officials stated that Britain was planning to invade Eire, and that Mr. Churchill was holding his hand only until the United Stages Congress had passed the "Aid-for-Britain" Bill. The Times, commenting on the meeting, says: "There may be smiles for Mussolini s personal discomfiture, but there can be no smiles for Hitler s probable counter-strokes to the British successes. All the signs show that these counter-strokes will be strong, cunningly calculated and dealt with all Hitler's usual ruthlessness. "Hitler has been late in moving to Italy's aid, but now he is sending help fast. Fie will try to prevent British ships from reaching Greece and ligypt, and will also try to keep a large part of the British Fleet engaged in the Mediterranean instead of in the Atlantic. Italy has failed in that task, and therefore Hitler is taking over the command more and more openly, and Italy is being more closely brought into the German new order. At present Hitler's purpose seems clear—to try to weaken the Greek resistance by guile, and also to intensify his assaults against Britain, hoping to forestall American help." The Daily Telegraph says: "The purpose of Hitler's meeting with Mussolini was simply to transfer the Italian war machine to German control. The fact that it occurred at Berchtesgaden emphasises that Mussolini is now in a subservient role. This may be unpalatable to Italian pride, but nevertheless Mussolini was a suppliant for German aid and had perforce to accept the German terms, namely, command of the Italian forces. Mussolini's publicist, Gayda, admits that the object of the meeting was to secure 'more embracing co-operation between Germany and Italy, making the Axis partners virtually a single armed force, with unit)' of command as well as of purpose.' From the Nazi viewpoint, unity of command of the Axis forces means German command."