WAR ATMOSPHERE

Southland Times, Issue 22510, 19 February 1935, Page 7

WAR ATMOSPHERE

SCENES IN ROME

THOUSANDS VOLUNTEER FOR SERVICE

GENERAL’S INDISCRE-

TION

(Unlted Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.55 p.m.) Rome, February 18. There were scenes of tremendous enthusiasm throughout the day in Rome when the 1911 class was called up. Parents and friends accompanied each batch of arrivals to the railway station. Signor Mussolini informed the Fascist Grand Council that 70,000 Black Shirts had volunteered for service in Africa. He also revealed that a Black Shirt battalion sailed from Naples on February 10 and would reinforce the garrison in Eritrea.

A message from Messina says that when thousands of young volunteers arrived in response to a call to the colours General Vacari, who was in command at Messina, realized that the rations and clothing were insufficient. He telegraphed the War Office pointing out the unwisdom of crowding the seaport with troops before adequately preparing for them. Signor Mussolini’s reply as War Minister was to place General Vacari on the retired list.

Nevertheless the difficulty has not been solved. Youngsters are flocking in without uniforms and unequipped except for small bundles brought from home. They will be drafted to Syracuse and Palermo before sailing. General Boscardi replaces General Vacari.