King and Badoglio “ Flabbergasted ”

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 53, 6 March 1944, Page 5

King and Badoglio “ Flabbergasted ”

(British Official Wireless.) Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. RUGBY, March 4. President Roosevelt said in Washing ton to-day that consideration was being given to the question of transferring part of the Italian fleet to Russia. He stated that Marshal Stalin had raised the question. The Italians had surrendered to Britain, the United States and Russia, and it was considered advisable that they should distribute the Italian ships on the basis of one-third to each. President Roosevelt said that discussions were half completed for transferring about one-third of the Italian fleet to Russia. He pointed out that, inasmuch as Italy surrendered to Britain, America and Russia, it was thought advisable to distribute the fleet, roughly one-third to each. The President revealed that Marshal Stalin had raised the question of the Italian fleet in a recent message to him transmitted by Ambassador Gromyko. He added that Britain and America were already using some of the surrendered Italian tonnage and efforts were being made to determine how many of these ships, or their equiva lent, can be handed over to Russia. Some may be manned by Italians. The British United Press’s correspondent in Naples reports that an official close to the Government said the news that one-third of the Italian Navy was going to the Russians flabbergasted King Victor and Marshal Badoglio, especially since they had not been consulted about the division. The surrendered Italian ships arc reported to include five capital ships, one carrier, eight cruisers, 27 destroyers and 19 submarines. The Italian Government has issued the following communique from Naples: “The Government learned only from the radio from Washington and press reports of the statement which President Roosevelt is reported to have made regarding the destination and use to he made of the Italian fleet. Although these reports, owing to the manner in which they came to the Government’s knowledge, are still incomplete and uncertain Marshal Badoglio immediately contacted the Allied representatives from whom he asked for the most complete details, reserving the right to act. “Accordingly the Italian Government takes this opportunity to restate its firmest intentions—which only a few days ago received the full recognition of the Church—of cooperating to the best ability in the military effort with Britain, America and Russia and also their sincere wish to reach a concerted agreement with a view to developing and further strengthening this cooperation in the interests of the Italian people and the common cause.”