ITALY ENTERS CONFLICT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 164, 11 June 1940, Page 7

ITALY ENTERS CONFLICT

FORCES INVADE FRANCE ALLIES EXPECT LONG WAR (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.) Received June 11, 8.45 a.m. LONDON, June 10. Italy has declared war. t A report from Berlin states that the Italian forces entered French territory through the Riviera at 6.30 p.m. (Italian time), but there is no confirmation of this in London. An official statement says the preparations of the Allied Governments are complete. They will know to how meet sword with sword. The announcement added: “This will be a long war unless Germany collapses unexpectedly.”

MUSSOLINI’S DECLARATION. “Italy lias readied tlie hour of an irrevocably important decision. "The British and Erench Ambassadors received Italy’s , declaration of war to-day,” announced Signor Mussolini in a short speech from the Palazzo Yenezia. “Our conscience,” said Signor Mussolini, “is absolutely tranquil. • We have done what was possible to avoid the storm now beating on the world. Treaties are'not eternal. It was only needed to revise treaties to avoid this war. All the world knows that Italy has tried vainly for peace. The Allies should not have repulsed Hitler’s peace offers. “Now we are ready to face all the risks and sacrifices of war. A great people is ready to face its destiny and make its oWn history. We want to break the chains suffocating us in the Mediterranean. - “I wish to declare that Italy does not wish to drag others into the conflict —neighbours and friendly people. The neutrality of these nations will be severely respected. We will give a new era of peace for Italy, Europe, and the world. “We salute the Fuehrer. Germany and Fascist Italy are on their feet ready to strike. This revolution asserts itself ' against those controlling the world’s riches—the struggle of one century against another. People of Italy! Run to your arms!” AMBASSADOR S. INFORMED. j . The Foreign Secretary (Count Ciano), at 4.30 p.m., received the French Ambassador, declaring: “The King-Emperor, declares that Italy is at war with France as from to-morrow, June 11.” He informed the British Ambassador in similar terms. * \ '8 The Prime Minister of France (M. Reynaud), in a broadcast, said the French and Italian hostilities would begin at midnight to-night.