The Waikato Times THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1940 ITALY FORTIFIES FRONTIERS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21039, 15 February 1940, Page 6

The Waikato Times THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1940 ITALY FORTIFIES FRONTIERS

Italy's lack of confidence in the stability of her understanding with Germany and of her status of neutrality is indicated by the report that she is hurriedly fortifying the German-Italian and Yugoslavian frontiers, including the Brenner Pass and the Udine Province zones. If that report is proved to be correct, the Nazis must be thinking furiously. The report declares that large sums allotted by

Italy for public works have been secretly diverted to the construction of pillboxes in the Brenner Pass, on which work has been continuous for four months. This pass between Germany and Italy is of the highest strategical importance. Of course Italy may merely be taking ordinary precautions on her frontiers, but this latest move does seem strange in view of Germany's recent declarations of absolute solidarity with Italy'. The report concerning the new fortifications is not alone in indicating intense anxiety in Italy; it is a link in a chain of events that show that Italy is not satisfied to march into the future as a firm ally of the Nazi dictator. In the first place Italy has maintained strict neutrality while the other “axis” partner is engaged in a life or death struggle in which he faces the extinction of his dictatorship. That action is not compatible with an alliance such as Germany declared the “axis” to be. Since the beginning of the war Italy has been warning Russia that invasion of the Italian sphere of influence will be resisted. If Italy opposes Russia she must also assist in frustrating the plans of Hitler. It has also been reported recently that Italy has entered into a great barter agreement with the Allies which would be entirely inconsistent with close alliance with Germany. Italy is clearly determined to maintain neutrality as long as possible. Therefore she is barring her frontiers against any possible enemy and waiting for developments. But for Russia, Signor Mussolini could entertain high hopes of remaining neutral throughout the war, for it is exceedingly unlikely that Germany would deliberately make an enemy of the Italian nation. But again the Soviet is the sinister influence which may yet upset Italian hopes of avoiding the conflict. Germany abandoned hope of enlisting Italian aid against the Allies for reasons which may be guessed. Having thus lost an active ally, Hitler had to find another, and Russia with all her weaknesses and disadvantages was accepted as better than none. If Hitler can persuade Stalin to withhold his hand in the Balkans he may secure Italian neutrality for the duration of the war. But if, in an excess of confidence and truculence, he allows the Russians to seek conquests in the south-east of Europe, the Russian-German alliance may find Italy in active opposition. Perhaps one of Hitler’s problems will be to exert any or sufficient influence over Stalin, for one of the weaknesses of the alliance is that the interests of the two partners are anything but identical. It is just possible that Italy may be saved from embroilment by positive action on the part of. Britain and France and their allies, for a Russian invasion of the Balkans is not likely to proceed unchecked.