GERMANY’S PUPPET

Evening Star, Issue 24325, 14 October 1942, Page 4

GERMANY’S PUPPET

ITALY INCLUDED IN STARVATION PROGRAMME TROOPS SENT WHERE MOST WILL BE KILLED NEW YORK, October 12. “ The Nazi plans contemplate wholesale deaths ot Italians, indeed, virtually every Italian soldier,” said the Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Aclolt A. Bede, at the Columbus Day rally. “ Wherever possible, Hitler lias used Italian troops in the sectors where they would be killed,” ho added. Referring to Gooriug's statement’ that the Germans would be fed and other Europeans would starve, Mr Eerie said: “Italy is included in the starvation programme. Italy’s food and other resources are being seized and sent to Germany, with little coming back.” He expressed the conviction that the Italian people did not support Mussolini’s terrible treason, which had enslaved them. “American citizens of Italian ancestry know how to condemn Fascists who strut the Quisling part in Rome, and Nazi marionettes whose strings are pulled by Hitler,” he said. “American citizens of Italian descent will know how to greet the Italian people who reconquer their freedom.”

AMERICA’S GESTURE

NEW YORK, October 12. From October 19 Italian, aliens will no longer be classed as enemy aliens. From that time the exoneration so well earned by them will be granted. Tins announcement was made to-day by the Attorney-general, Mr 1 rancis Biddle. “it does not mean that dangerous and disloyal persons will no longer bo subject to apprehension and internment,” Air Riddle said. “ We still cannot take chances, but Italian aliens will be free to participate in the war effort without the handicaps hitherto hampering them. Of 600,000 Italians, it has been found necessary to intern only 228.” Mr Biddle said he would recommend Congress to pass a Bill granting otherwise eligible aliens citizenship without a literacy test, provided the applicants were more than 50 years of age, and had arrived in the United States before 1924 and lived there continuously since. “ The people of Italy are sick of Fascism, sick of Mussolini, and parsick of Hitler,” he added. “ The revolt against Italian Fascism cannot be kept down. It has already started.”

CHARGES SUBSTANTIATED

AXIS AGENTS IN CHILE AND ARGENTINA WASHINGTON, October 12. ' According to a highly authoritative source, the United States Government is in possession of facts which fully substantiate the charge made by the Under-Secretary of State. Mr Sumner Welles, that Axis activities in Chile and Argentina have definitely resulted in the sinking of ships. The existence of an Axis spy ring which was operating from Santiago through agents in Cuba and Barcelona has also been revealed. Some of the leaders of the ring had been arrested in Havana and Santiago. The existence of the spy ring was only one of the pieces of information showing a connection between Axis activities in Chile and Argentina and the sinking of United Nations ships. Both Chile and Argentina have been notified that the United States cannot inform them of all the facts, but they have also been informed that the facts exist to the full satisfaction of the United States Government. There is no thought that the developments will lead to u Jbreak between the United States and Argentina and Chile. The United States Government does not intend to resort to pressure economically or otherwise to change the neutrality of Argentina and Chile, but it is hoped, however, that sober second thoughts by those countries will eventually lead to reconsideration of their position.

BRIBERY CHARGES

U.S. EXPLOSIVE PLANT OFFICIALS (llec. 10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oetoher 13 White House announced that under the terms of a Presidential order the Navy Department took possession of Triumph Explosives Incorporated at Elkton, Maryland, and two subsidiaries, the Milford Ordnance Company ami the Sussex Ordnance Company, because it is desirous that they should be dpcr- ■, ated effectively and safely. The Federal' Bureau of Investigation arrested the plant vice-presideht and army and navy inspectors on bribery charges, which resulted from an audit by the Navy The inspectors allegedly accepted bribes in the guise of service fees. The Navy Department's preliminary investigation indicates that more than 1,000,000d01 management irregularies are involved. White House said those arrested were Josef Ben Decker, executive vice-presi-dent of the Triumph plant, J. A. McCambrklge, until recently a civilian army inspector at the Triumph' plant, and Reginald Gregory, chief civilian navy-inspector .-at The Triumph plant. More arrests are expected.

BRAZIL'S CO-OPERATIGN

ADDITIONS TO THE FLEET (I’ecv 11 a. ni.) WASHINGTON, October 13. Colonel Knox told-the Press that considerable additions .to the Brazilian fleet were now on the ways at Bio do Janeiro and.nearly ready to go to sea. These would make a material addition to the naval and submarine patrol. He cited this as an instance of the 100 per cent, co-operation of the Brazilian armed forces. Colonel Knox said a large part of the activity in the Brazilian area was by air and critically important. The Brazilian people were extremely cordial to the United States and overwhelmingly in favour of Brazilian administration in its war measures. YOUTHS FOR U.S. ARMY (Rec. 11. a.m.) WASHINGTON, October 13. Stressing the exceptional need for soldiers, Mr H. L. Stinison urged the House military. Affairs Coipmittee to expedite legislation drafting youths of from 18 to 19.