ITALIAN ABUSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 7

ITALIAN ABUSE

CAMPAIGN AGAINST SWISS ALLEGATIONS OF BIAS BERLIN METHODS OUTDONE (By Wireless) LONDON, Nov. 7. (Received Nov. 8, at 1 a.m.) The Italian press and radio has started a campaign of abuse against Switzerland, which even the German radio in its most vitriolic mood could not hope to equal. It is described as a " last humane warning." Complaint is made of the way in which the Greek war is reported, and all the Swiss newspapers, which are widely read in Italy, have been banned with the exception of two. Anti-Italian bias is alleged, and the campaign of villification reached its peak last night when the Italian radio addressed the Swiss as " democratic innkeepers and travel guides, a motley bunch of waiters retailers of butter and semi-profiteers, and agents provocateurs in the service of Britain."

NEUTRALITY VIOLATED A BLACK-OUT ORDERED BERNE, Nov. 6. A communique says that Switzerland's neutrality was violated several times last night towards the south-east. The anti-aircraft defences dispersed one squadron and another was forced to turn without crossing the Alps. The Swiss Army has ordered a complete black-out -throughout Switzerland from 10 p.m. to dawn in order to hinder foreign aircraft.