HITLER-MUSSOLINI DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 17, 15 October 1942, Page 5

HITLER-MUSSOLINI DISPUTE

Germans May Grab Croatia

ANGER AND TAUNTING (Received October 14, 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, October 13.

Rising feeling between Italy and Germany concerning Italy’s military failures is reported in dispatches to "The Times” and “Daily Express.” Herr Hitler is reported to have told Signor Mussolini that Germany will soon occupy all Croatia and the adjoining territory south of the Tyrol as far as Trieste “to obtain more direct access to the Adriatic and the Balkans and better control of the war.” The German demands naturally are meeting with very strong opposition, and the dispute has led to the postponement of a. projected meeting between Hitler and Mussolini.

According to one usually reliable source, the Germans are infuriated by their frustration in Russia and are throwing the blame for their failure on their satellites, specially Italy, for their slender assistance. The Italians are blamed for having sent to Russia insignificant forces . of very poor quality, which instead of an asset have been a hindrance and nuisance. The Germans have again begun to rub in the Italians’ defeats in North Africa, Albania, and the Mediterranean, which compelled Germany to come to the assistance of Italy, thereby wasting time, men and. material which could be better used in Russia. The Germans say that even the Rumanians have revealed themselves better soldiers than the Italians, who are not even able to deal with General Mikhailovitch's patriots. Mutiny In Greece. Alarming reports of unrest and mutiny among the Italian garrison in Greece caused Mussolini recently to visit Athens, says the Cairo correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” Troops for months had been displaying increasing reluctance to be drafted from the comparatively easy-going garrison duty to the uninviting Western Desert.

A large part of a regiment recently blew up a ship on the quayside at Keradzini, near Piraeus, which was waiting' to embark them. When 200 "ringleaders,” manacled in groups of four, were marched to a concentration camp through Athens, the population turned out and cheered.