LOSING PATIENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25302, 12 August 1943, Page 5

LOSING PATIENCE

THE ITALIAN NATION GOVERNMENT INACTION LONDON, Aug. 10. Conversations between Germany and Italy are proceeding. The German overseas radio, announcing this, added: “ The German viewpoint regarding the treaty of alliance is unchanged. This unchanged attitude must be interpreted as a significant symptom. Wilhelmstrasse* observers state that the Ger-man-Italian alliance from, the outset bore a special aspect in consequence of the personal friendship between the Fuhrer and the Duce and the harmony between National Socialist and Fascist ideals. Italy and Germany also have this in common—the Allies are trying to destroy both as nations. The latest events in Italy have shown how false was the claim that the Allies are fighting against Fascism and against ; National Socialism. The common enemy of Italy and Germany seeks to destroy the national life of both countries.” The Italian News Agency to-day stated: " It is pointed out in responsible Italian circles that nobody wants to deny that the Italian people, after releasing themselves from the fetters which for 20 years have hampered their movements, want peace, because peace means an end-to the horrors and sacrifices of war. The Italian people want peace, just as all other peoples suffering from the war do. In that sense it is evident that the Italian people, who for three years have obeyed, fought, and suffered, should await the dawn of peace, but what sort of peace? The United Nations pretended to act in accordance with two fundamental principles—first, they had no territorial aspirations; secondly, they merely wished to restore liberty to the oppressed Italian people. This second aim was fully achieved on July 25, when we regained ■ the freedom which the Allies were anxious to present to us, but this liberty does not seem to satisfy them. It does not seem to serve their only purposeunconditional surrender. So far as we are concerned, it is not a question of temporising, as we have been accused of doing. In view of the unconditional surrender demands and the bombings of Naples, Milan, Turin, and Genoa, the Italian people are sceptical in the face of every would-be promise from the enemy.” Possible Peace Offer Reuter’s correspondent on the Italian frontier says suggestions that the Badoglio'Government is about to make a peace offer spread throughout Milan after the latest R.A.F. raid. Marshal Badoglio is stated to be waiting only for the complete withdrawal of Italian troops from the Balkans and France and of Italian workers from Germany before making a peace offer and resigning. Government agents attempted to appease crowds in Milan by spreading reports that a revolt against the Government would give the Germans an excuse to intervene. The military commentator on the Rome radio, which is now emphasising the Communist peril, declared: ‘‘The oowerfu] Russian offensive is threatening our continent. The Russian successes are undoubtedly great.” One argument extensively quoted is that the bombing of Italian cities sets up a grave danger of subversive outbreaks which it would be impossible to quell. The Algiers radio quotes the newspaper Stampa for a statement that the Milan authorities have ordered the evacuation of all civilians not employed on important war work. The Rome radio announced that Senator Umberto Ricci has replaced Signor Fornaciari as Minister of Home Affairs.

Reuter’s correspondent at Zurich says that the appointment of Ricci is regarded as a concession to the public demand for freedom, which continues to form the pivot of political considerations. “ There is no doubt that tension in Italy has reached breaking point,” he says. “Badoglio’s Government has produced nothing constructive for the solution of national problems, and the nation is losing patience. A meaningless Cabinet change is unlikely to impress public opinion, which demands action instead of promises." The Talks at Verona

The Berne correspondent of the New York Times states that the Germans have concluded the talks at Verona and are satisfied with the Italian assurances that they will continue to fight. It is reported that Badoglio decided that this was the only course which would not jeopardise the House of Savoy or Italian prestige A semi-official Italian statement ex plained that the alternative of unconditional surrender barred any' other solution. The statement said: “The war is continuing until a more intelligent application of the Italian situation dispels preconceived ideas on diplomatic and military developments inconsistent with the destiny of our nation.” The Times points out that Badoglio cannot expect to alter the position before the Allies inflict a resounding defeat on the Italian army or a revolutionary Government seizes the initiative and imposes peace, for which the public is clamouring. According to a message received in New York from the Italian underground movement,' Italy has been in the throes of a general strike during the past three days.