ITALIAN CABINET

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20951, 2 November 1939, Page 7

ITALIAN CABINET

ENEMY PLANES DOWNED

AUSTRALIAN WHEAT

THE NEW APPOINTMENTS NEUTRALITY FAVOURED LESS GERMAN INFLUENCE United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Oct. 31 The Rome correspondent of the New York Times says Signor Mussolini’s new appointees give the Cabinet a strong group of champions of neutrality, fortify the Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, in his present foreign policy and strengthen the armed forces against any eventuality. The changes give Signor Mussolini collaborators who have all been party leaders from the earliest days of Fascism. Elements considered strongly pro-German have been replaced by men who are merely pro-Italian. However, as Signor Mussolini retains the key positions and Count Ciano remains Foreign Minister, it is obvious that the changes are only administrative and do not signify a change of policy. They merely remove the possibility of friction and misunderstanding of Italy’s firm determination to keep neutral and avoid foreign entanglements.

DUKE OF GLOUCESTER INSPECTS QUERY OF TROOPS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 2, 1 p.m.) PARIS, Nov. 1 As Germany’s big guns boomed throughout the day on the Western Front squadrons of Allied observation planes penetrated deeply into German territory. Despatches from the Front say that seven squadrons of French machines completed their mission and returned safely, despite intensive fire. German planes also flew over the Allied lines and anti-air-craft guns are reported to have brought down three. As the armies enter the third month of the war they still are asking the same question “when and where will a gun really go off on the Western Front?”

Driving his own car the Duke of Gloucester visited the front lines in a drenching rain, and inspected the heavy guns..

The night communique reports usual activity by light infantry elements on both sides.

PURCHASE BY BRITAIN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 1 The Australian Government has bought 17,000,000 bushels of wheat, of wffiich 10,000,000 bushels has been sold to Britain. The purchase price was 2s 8d a bushel.