AXIS PARTNERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24631, 12 June 1941, Page 7

AXIS PARTNERS

BARGAIN COMPLETED ITALY’S SHARE OF SPOILS OCCUPATION OF GREECE ROME, June 10. “In accordance with an agreement with the German High Command, Italy will occupy the whole of Greece, which will re-epigr the Italian sphere of influence in the Mediterranean.” said Mussolini in a speech at a session of the Chamber of Fascist Guilds. “All damage is being repaired where possible. Greece could not have carried on for six months against Italy without British help. It is a mathematical certainty that without the Balkan disturbance the Italians would have annihilated whatever remained of Greek forces in April. Resistance in Abyssinia will be protracted to the limit of human endurance. We will return there, although I cannot at present say when or how.” _ Referring to foreign affairs, II Duce said Turkey had the chance of observing the tragic fate of everybody sympathising with the Allies Actual declaration of war by the United States would not alter existing conditions. America at present was in a state of undeclared war. American intervention would be tardy and only lengthen the war and extend it to other continents, japan would not be indifferent to American aggression. The Axis would help Japan, in spite of the distances involved. “Spain,” he said, “knows who are her friends and cannot afford to renounce the unique opportunity of Unking up with the Axis. This is a battle between gold and blood. I ff lieve that God has chosen the blood. We shall win. The enemy is tenacious, but we are more tenacious.’ • Mussolini ridiculed suggestions of an Italian-German union, saying: ‘ We are two nations, but there is only one war. Hitler’s recent speeches recognised Italy’s great sacrifices.”

THE UNDERLYING MOTIVES (Rec. 8 p.m.) RUGBY, June 10. The most revealing portion of Mussolini’s speech on the anniversary of the Italian entry into the war is the announcement that in agreement with Germany the whole of Greece, including Athens, will be occupied by Italy. “Greece is thus re-entering the'ltahan sphere of influence in the Mediterranean,” he said. ' - . It is obvious to informed opinion in London that the underlying motives of this deal between the Axis partners whose recent long talk at the Brenner Pass foreshadowed some bargain of tms nature, are threefold —first. Hitler must give something to Mussolini in- return for his unredeemed promises of annexations from France, which the Vichy negotiations now make impracticable, second, Mussolini’s aspirations m the Balkans are satisfied; third. Hitler hands over the task of policing Greece to his partner and thereby liberates German troops for duty in another sphere of war.