UNREST IN ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 March 1939, Page 7

UNREST IN ITALY

FEARS OF CATASTROPHE

MUSSOLINI’S COLONIAL AMBITIONS. POSSIBILITY OF CRITICAL . DEVELOPMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 12. Unrest is sweeping Italy, says the “Sunday Referee,” and all classes, including many leading Fascists, fear that Signor Mussolini’s daring will end in catastrophe. Notwithstanding the danger of doing so, people are talking about their present discontent and their anxiety for the future.-'The overbearing ascendancy of Germany is particularly galling, to them. The powerful Fascist militia is rigidly enforcing the party will, and it it said that it is well supplied with ammunition. The regular army is being kept perpetually short of it, as it is believed that it might attempt a military coup.

The Rome correspondent of the International News Service says that the long-awaited diplomatic offensive to bring about a redistribution of colonies that was delayed by the death of Pope Pius XI is gathering momentum, and a critical situation may arise within a few weeks.

Italian military preparations that are being made on a large scale cannot be explained unless Signor Mussolini forsees the possibility of a conflict with the object of fulfilling Italian and German colonial ambitions. The recent visit of the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, .to Warsaw to persuade Poland to join in the demand for colonies fits in with the preparations. French experts hold the view that France will be fully prepared in the event of war with Italy. This fact was announced after the Prime Minister, M. Daladier, who is also Minister of Defence, and the Minister of Colonies, M. Mandel, had conferred with senior officers of the army, navy, and air force.

The situation regarding the navy and fortifications in North Africa is considered to be particularly satisfactory. It is learned that the opinion was expressed that if Italy made any attempt- to begin a war in Europe or over colonies she would “commit suicide.”