ITALIAN MOVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24285, 28 May 1942, Page 3

ITALIAN MOVE

DEMAND ON FRANCE

NICE AND CORSICA

BIG AIDIY ASSEMBLED ATTITUDE OF VICHY (Reed. 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, May '26 Three hundred thousand Italian troops are expected to move against Nice and Corsica at any moment, following reports that Vichy will reject Italian demands for their cession, says the Daily Mail. Laval is reported to be agreeable to negotiate only on Tunisia. Laval reported to Petnin yesterday on the result of his latest visit to Paris, and then summoned Admiral Auphand, who is tho Vichy Secretary of State for the Navy, and the ResidentGeneral of Tunis, Admiral Esteva, for a conference. Mediterranean Activity The diplomatic correspondent of the Times there says the impression in the Mediterranean region is that the Axis is preparing outstanding military and naval efforts there. Tho Turks are watchful, the Spaniards expectant, the Portuguese anxious, and the British Navy is on the alert. Some of the evidence, however, is of doubtful value. Italian clamour for French spoils may bo merely an attempt to revive tho Duce's withered laurels or exact a high price for Italian cannon-fodder which Hitler hopes to use in Russia. It is hardly the moment for Germany to assist Italy in wrecking tho policy of Franco-German collaboration. Footing in Bizerta Tho Daily Telegraph says thero are indications that the Germans are pressing Laval for facilities at Bizerta in Tunis, although tho Germans are treading warily, as they do not want a rupture between Vichy and the United States, which would follow the surrender of the French Fleet or the ceding of any North African possession to tho Axis. It was officially announced in Rome last night that the King of Italy and tho Crown Prince have just concluded a three-day tour of northern Italy. Agency messages report that they reviewed 300,000 Italian troops in Piedmont. King Victor Emanuel is said to have inspected forces at Alessandria and tho Crown Prince inspected regiments at San Homo. These places are in north-west Italy and are adjacent to tho French border. Spoils of War These reports, sent out by the Italians, may bo connected with the renewed cry from Rome since the last Hitler-Mussolini meeting that Tunis, Nice and Corsica should bo handed over to the Italians. This Italian clamour coincided with renewed pressure on Vichy by the Germans. Newspapers in London point out that it is Hitler who at present holds control in Italy. Mussolini is trying to whip up his war-weary people by what amounts to a purge. Ho was recently given powers similar to those lately assumed by Hitler. According to a Pome radio broadcast, Mussolini presided at a meeting of the directorate of the Fascist Party. The meeting ordered a rigorous weeding-out of all members who for any reason do not deserve to belong to the party. ENEMY ADVANCE OBSERVATION POSTS TAKEN ACTION IN WESTERN DESERT LONDON, May 27 A Cairo communique reports that enemy columns, including tanks, advanced eastward yesterday. However, they had not yet reached the Allies' main Libyan position. It appears from news reaching London that the, enemy has taken some observation posts. It is pointed out that it is too early yet to say whether the German advance is the beginning of a German offensive. The Cairo communique also reports increased air activity by the enemy over the Allied rear positions. Little damage was done. The enemy lost another Stuka in divebombing our forward troops in the northern sector of tho front. FINANCING THE WAR (Reed. 7.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 20 The United States monthly rate of war expenditure will be 5,000,000,000 dollars this autumn, 6,000,000,000 early next spring and 7,000.000,000 a year hence, according to Mr. Pat Cannon, chairman of the House of Representatives Appropriation Committee. The House of Representatives passed a special emergency vote of 9,500,000 dollars-to financo the industry training programme. DOUBLE AXIS OUTPUT (Heed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 20 United States Government officials announce that the steel output from the American mills in 1942 will be twice the maximum amount that can be produced by the Axis and Axis-dominated countries combined. This estimate was reached jointly by Government experts and leaders oi' the steel industry. While there will not be a vestige of steel for civilian use, tho steel industry will fufil all war production requirements.