ITALY URGES PEACE

Southland Times, Issue 23930, 23 September 1939, Page 5

ITALY URGES PEACE

PRESS CAMPAIGN FAVOURS NAZIS BRITAIN ADVISED TO GIVE UP “USELESS, SENSELESS WAR” OPPOSED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 22, 7.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 21. The Italian newspapers have opened in full blast a campaign, on Herr Hitler’s behalf, for peace, says the Rome correspondent of The New York Tinies, in a radiophone report. The words “useless, senseless war” appear in all editorials. Britain is told she is beaten and had better give up. The German arguments are given in all their nakedness.

“Why, after being so friendly and cautious to the Allies, is Italy playing Germany’s game?” asks the correspondent. “It does not mean she is joining Germany, but it does mean she wants to see the war end now, as Germany wants to see it end. Otherwise, she is resolved to maintain her neutrality.” The assassination of the Prime Minister of Rumania (M. Armand Calinescu) caused great excitement. Italians are keenly concerned about Rumania

and had expected the Germans to make a move from the outside, but obviously the same results can be obtained from an internal overthrow. The Italians are even more worried over the possibility of Russia taking the eastern province, Bessarabia, but so far as can be ascertained the Soviet has no plan of action in the present circumstances. The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press says Signor Mussolini is believed to be the author of an article in Popolo d’ltalia, in which the democracies are urged to accept Herr Hiller’s offer to limit German expansion and it is hinted that if not accepted other statesmen might become refugees like Dr Eduard Benes, former president of Czechoslovakia. Italy’s military preparations, which were started recently, are being continued.