“NO PROBLEM TO JUSTIFY WAR”

Southland Times, Issue 23818, 16 May 1939, Page 7

“NO PROBLEM TO JUSTIFY WAR”

Mussolini Refers To Union With Nazis

PROMISE TO MARCH WITH GERMANY

DEMOCRACIES’ PEACEFUL MOTIVES DOUBTED

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, May 14.

An objective review of the world situation showed that there did not at present exist in Europe problems of a magnitude which would justify a war which would become universal, said Signor Mussolini at the opening of the Economic Self-Sufficiency Conference at Turin.

“Millions throughout the world, with conflicting optimism and pessimism, are asking whether we are' going to have peace or war,” said II Duce. “This is a grave question especially for those responsible for the decision. “To sever a knot it is not always necessary to use the sword. Nevertheless, it is necessary to cut certain knots in Europe, because harsh reality is sometimes preferable to a long period of difficult suspense. This also is the German viewpoint. Fascism’s doctrines and my will remain inflexible. “We shall march with Germany on every question in Europe. Through the military alliance the Rome-Berlin Axis has become an unbreakable union.” J The signing of the alliance in Berlin before the end of the month would result in confusion and humiliation for those continually attempting to spy out bends or breaks in the Axis, said Signor Mussolini. He warned such people against continuation of ridiculous illusions and superficial casuistry. “The polemists of the great democracies are invited to give a fair opinion of our viewpoint,” he said. “We do not desire peace simply because of our internal situation which, of course, is well known as catastrophic (the crowd cheered this irony). Our adversaries have vainly waited 17 years for the catastrophe. They will have to wait a longer time. We do not desire peace because of any fear of war, which is unknown to us. , (Boos and cheers.) “Arm-chair strategists studiously examining portions of our frontiers mention an easy passage through the Po valley (on the French frontier). This would not be possible where there exists a compact people of 48,000,000 on this side of the Alps. Military history has shown that it would not be healthy for anyone to walk into Italy. “WHITE GOLD OF COURAGE” “We must ask whether the great democracies share the sincere desire for peace existing in the totalitarian States. I confine myself to saying that judging from their acts it is permissible to doubt this. Wars are won not only with gold. The only gold worth while is the white gold of courage.” Signor Mussolini said that the map of three continents had been modified in recent times, but Italy, Germany and Japan had not abstracted a square metre nor a solitary individual from the sovereignty of the democracies. “Therefore,” he asked, “how do they explain this furious outburst of selfishness? There is the question of moral scruple. Perhaps we have not used the methods by which they built up their-own empires, nor the methods by which their empires have been maintained since the crumbling of the Versailles scheme, which constituted a pistol pointed against Italy and Germany. They are now making an effort to substitute guarantees, more less bought, mpre less multi-lateral.

“That the democracies are not sincerely desirous of peace is shown incontestably by the fact that they have already started what is called a white war or an economic war. A formidable bloc of 150,000,000 people, rapidly increasing, from the Baltic to the Indian Ocean, will not, however, let itself be overpowered. This latest scheme will collapse like Versailles. We have armed to be able to safeguard our peace and to throw back aggression. Whatever happens, I declare to you with absolute certainty that all our goals will be reached.” The official text of Signor Mussolini’s speech says that II Duce stated: “We will march with Germany to give Europe that peace with justice which is the profound desire of all peoples.” The official news agency deleted the words “on every question in Europe.”