ITALY’S CLAIMS ON FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 156, 28 March 1939, Page 9

ITALY’S CLAIMS ON FRANCE

Tunis, Jibuti and Suez

Canal

DUCE REASSERTS RIGHTS IN MEDITERRANEAN Watchword To Arm Regardless Of Cost (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright,) ROME, March 26. In a speech delivered yesterday to 100,001) Blackshirts in the Forum, Signor Mussolini defined Italy’s claims against France as lunis, Jibuti and the Suez Canal. “France,” said the Duce, “is perfectly free to refuse even to discuss these problems, as she has done so fai with perhaps over-categorical ‘nevers/ but France will have herself to blame if the gulf which now divides Italy and France becomes so wide that it will be hard and even impossible to bridge it. The appearance of Signor Mussolini was greeted with a roar of “Savoy! Nice!” from the assembled Blackshirts. “Thousands of our comrades,” he began, “have fallen like heroes in Italy, Africa, and Spain, and their memory is ever present in our hearts. Some of us meanwhile may have grown slack, but the men of the old battalions are ready to level their rifles even as in the old days. “The Fascist Revolution is not finished; on the contrary. in many respects it has just begun. What we have done will remain for centuries. “It pays to remember how often triumphant demoplutocratic liars have announced to their flocks the imm'inent ruin of Fascist Italy because Italy has been bled in Africa and Spain, and is urgently in need of a loan, which naturally could not be other than a British one. What we have done is important, but what we have to do is yet more important, and we will do it because my will knows no obstacles.

“We arc meeting at a troubled moment in European history, but we shall not let ourselves _be a prey to war psychosis, whichjs a mixture of hysteria and feai. Our course is set and our principles are clear. “Despite the fact that the word ‘peace’ h as been worn through use and rings untrue like a spurious coin, and despite Italy’s belief that permanent peace would be a catastrophe for civilization, Italy considers that a long period of peace is necessary for the development of European civilization, but, despite urgings, Italy will not take the initiative to preserve peace till her sacred rights have been recognized and satisfied. “All attempts to undermine the Rome-Berlin axis are puerile. The axis is not merely a relation between two States, but a relationship between two revolutions which are completely antithetic to all other contemporary civilizations. “What has happened in Central Europe was inevitable. If the great democracies have wept over the premature and rather shameful end of what they considered to be their most cherished creature, that is an excellent reason for Italy not to associate herself with their tears. If the hopedfor coalition is created against the Authoritarian States they will accept the challenge and will pass to defence and counter-attack throughout the world.

“Tn my speech at Genoa I spoke about a barricade separating Italy and France. This can be considered to have been fairly demolished within days—maybe hours. Our magnificent infantry in Spain gave the last stroke. I want the world to know that the Italian Note sent to France on December 17 set out the problems as Tunis, Jibuti and the Suez Canal. Italy’s Vital Interests. “The Mediterranean is vital for Italy geographically, militarily, politically, and economically. When we say the Mediterranean we include the Adriatic, where permanent but not exclusive Italian interests are recognized by Yugoslavia. “It is necessary for us to arm. Our watchword is more guns, more ships, and more aeroplanes, regardless of costs and by whatever methods, even if it entails a complete.change of the socalled civilized life. I ask you: 'Do you want honour, rewards, and an easy, life? Is anything impossible to you?’”

The concourse answered with a thunderous: “No.” After the speech thousands of Fascist troops demonstrated in the Piazza Tenezia, Rome’s main square, shouting “Tunisia, Nice, Savoy.” Signor Mussolini appeared four times on the balcony, smiling and saluting.

“NO MORE EVASION POSSIBLE”

German Comment On The Speech BERLIN, March 26. An inspired statement issued to the foreign Press concerning Siguor Mussolini’s speech says: “Italy, in the Dace’s words, has clearly defined her historic claims to Tunis, Jibuti, and the Suez Canal. “The question of method has been left open, but the possibility of further evading a reply scarcely exists. The Duce’s speech demonstrates to the world the complete unity of the axis policy.” Herr Hitler listened in to Signor Mussolini’s speech, a German translation of which was broadcast half an hour after the Duce had concluded.