HOPES IN BRITAIN

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

HOPES IN BRITAIN

BADOGLIO GOVERNMENT MOVEMENTS OF FLEET tOfficial Wireless’, (Received Sept. 24, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 23 Speaking of the future of Italy when he wound up the war debate in the Mouse of Lords Viscount Cranbcrno said it was the Government’s hope that Marshal Badoglio will set up as soon as possible a Government on the widest possible political basis, including all sections of opinion except Fascists. It was also the Government’s hope that ultimately, when circumstances permitted, the Italian people would choose that Government which would suit them best when normal times arrived. Of the Italian fleet Lord Cranborne said it did not surrender. It moved to designated points under the terms of the armistice. The future of the Italian fleet was under consideration, but much depended on the extent to which the Italian nation co-operated against the enemy. Lord Cranbcrne denied that the Government’s political preparations were behind the military preparations in Italy, and said that to have pushed ahead in Italy with a sort of half-baked invasion before we were really ready would have been absolutely disastrous and would not have secured for us the Italian navy. He also repudiated the suggestion that we bombed Turin and Milan after peace feelers had been put out. He described this as a most odious and disgusting suggestion. Britain’s Good Name

He deprecated any suggestion that this country was not playing a full part in the war. The name of the British nation, stood high today. Many great countries had fallen by the way in the last four years because they had lost their pride in their institutions and with it their unity.

“1 hope we shall never do that,” he concluded.