ITALY'S PART

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24460, 20 November 1940, Page 7

ITALY'S PART

LEADER'S VAPOURINGS MOUTHPIECE OF HITLER BRITAIN CASTIGATED RESPONSIBLE FOR WAR (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ROME, Nov. 18. Signor Mussolini, speaking from the balcony of the Venice Palace, told an audience of 20,000: "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. Peace will be an Axis peace. England will not avoid her catastrophe."

Signor Mussolini declared that with the new mass production of aircraft Italy would soon achieve parity with, if not superiority over, the other belligerents.

Defending the accuracy of the Italian communiques, he said he personally supervised the drafting of all war bulletins. Strong people like the Italians'did not flinch from the truth. He denied the British statement that three battleships and two auxiliary cruisers were sunk at Taranto. Only one ship was damaged and it would soon be repaired. Mr Churchill's'method was to multiply everything by six. "I asked for, and obtained, the permission of the Fuhrer to take an active part in the battle against Britain with aeroplanes and submarines. Germany does not need these reinforcements. Greek Resistance "According to papers seized in France, Greece offered Britain the use of naval bases last May. We have all the material necessary to overcome Greek resistance. The 372 Italian dead. 1081 wounded and 650 missing on the Epirus front during the first 10 days will be avenged." Signor Mussolini concluded: "A block of 150,000,000 resolute and implacable men will bring victory."

He also declared that Greece was a tricky enemy. " The Greeks hate Italy more than any other nation." he said. " Their hate is profound and incurable."

Referring to France, he said: "Already it is clear that the Axis does not desire a peace of revenge or rancour. It is also true that certain claims and demands must be satisfied. Italy's demands must be accepted without compromise and without a temporary solution. This will be possible only after complete clarification of the situation within the orbit of a new Europe in which will begin a new chapter in the troubled history of Italian and French relations." Signor Mussolini concluded with a special reference to the Fascist Party, which, he said, must intensify its activity amongst the masses. There had been a certain slackening of activities since the outbreak of war, due to many leaders going to the front. This was not how the case. There would not b£ general mobilisation. "We have 1.000,000 men under arms," he added, " but in case of necessity we could call up 8,000.000. " The party must free itself and the nation of any small bourgeois ideas and must maintain and accentuate the atmosphere of these hard times and move nearer the people than heretofore to protect • their moral health and material existence. A certain kind of pacifism of an intellectual and universal tint must be closely watched and fought. Nothing must exist outside the supreme goal. That is why we are armed."

"Efficiency" of Italian Navy Sighor Mussolini described the destruction of the French Army as without precedent in proportion and unbelievable in rapidity. Italy had entered the war to carry out her alliance and break the chains binding her seas. The armed forces of Italy's African Empire, which, according to forecast, the enemy should have broken up, had instead taken the initiative. "It was we who attacked in Libya," he said. " The occupation of Sidi Barrani must not be considered the conclusion, but merely a prologue to acts of valour by the Italian soldiers on all fronts, which will make the nation proud. The Italian Navy is protecting lines of communication in the Mediterranean and Adriatic in such an efficient manner that the enemy's navy is unable to interrupt or hamper it. The Italian Air Force dominates the skies. Four times as many Italian planes are now coming from Italian workshops as before the war." Signor Mussolini paid a tribute to the discipline and strength of the Italian people, who knew that this decisive war must be fought to a conclusion and end in the annihilation of the modern Carthage. "A Mirror of Truth " He described Italian war bulletins as a perfect mirror of truth. Only one ship was seriously damaged at Taranto. Its reconditioning would take a lon?4 time. The others could, and would, be swiftly restored to their former efficiency. It was false that two other warships and two auxiliary ships had been sunk, hit, or damaged. "Mr Churchill." he said, " might have completed the picture by telling the House of Commons the fate suffered by British units torpedoed recently in the central Mediterranean and at Alexandria. Our navy, air force, and submarines are repeatedly giving the British Navy in its hideout at Alexandria a taste of our arms." Signor Mussolini glowingly referred to Herr Hitler as " an army commander who has been confirmed by victory in his genius-like conception of strategy, which in some quarters may have been regarded as too audacious or daring, and also revolutionary, and who had also awakened his people and made them the protagonists of a world revolution similar to Fascism." According to one version of the speech Signor Mussolini declared: "I declare it is false that three ships were sunk at Taranto. Three ships were damaged, but none was sunk."