CONTROL OF ITALY

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22151, 24 September 1943, Page 5

CONTROL OF ITALY

ALLIES AND BADOGLIO NEW YORK, Sept. 22 There is reason to believe that the Allies intend to take full political advantage of the fact that Marshal Badoglio is on our side, says the New York Times correspondent in North Africa. It is emphasised that his broadcast ordering Italians to regard all Germans as enemies came as close to a declaration of war as a Prime Minister of a beaten nation can over make. Although Amgot (Allied Military Government in Occupied Territories) is already working in Italy, it is reasonable to guess that it will not expand and may not even continue if the Allies can work out a formula revolving round Badoglio that will meet military needs without stirring up too much political dissatisfaction among citizens of Allied countries who still regard Badoglio as the enemy leader.

Although King Victor Emmanuel’s whereabouts are a mystery, it can be said that the Allied problem of handling Badoglio will be enormously simplified if the King can also be brought into the picture. The military leaders are certainly aware of possible political repercussions in Allied countries similar to those following on the Darlan deal, but it is emphasised that military considerations take precedence over political ones. That was the case in the early stages of the French problem and will continue to be the case as long as the war is fought against Hitler from this theatre.