MAPS MODIFIED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 May 1939, Page 6

MAPS MODIFIED

SPEECH BV MUSSOLINI AT TURIN SOUNDING CLAIMS SOME BITTER CRITICISM OF DEMOCRACIES. COLLAPSE OF GUARANTEES PREDICTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) TURIN, May 14. Signor Mussolini, in the course of a speech when opening the Economic. Self-Suffi-ciency Exhibition, said: “The map of three continents has been modified in recent times, but Italy, Germany and Japan have not abstracted a square metre nor a solitary individual from the sovereignty of the democracies. Therefore how do they explain this furious outburst of selfishness? They wished it to be thought that there was a question of moral scruple. Perhaps we do not know the methods' whereby they built up their own empires, nor the methods . whereby those empires have been maintained. Since the crumpling of the Versailles scheme, which constituted a pistol pointed against Italy and Germany, an effort has been made to substitute guarantees more or less sought and more or less multilateral. That the democracies are not sincerely devoted to peace is shown incontestably by the fact that they have already started what may be called a “white” war or economic war. The formidable bloc of 150,000,000, which is rapidly increasing from the Baltic to the Indian Ocean, will not let itself be overpowered. The latest system of guarantees will collapse like the Versailles Treaty. We are arming in order to be able to safeguard our peace and throw back aggression. Whatever happens, I declare to you with absolute certainty that all our goals will be reached.” Signor Mussolini declared that in millions throughout the world there was conflicting optimism and pessimism. They were asking whether they were going to have peace or war. This was a grave question, specially for those responsible for the decision. FASCISM’S DOCTRINES. “In order to sever a knot it. isn’t always necessary to use a sword,” he said. “Nevertheless it is necessary to cut certain knots in Europe because harsh reality is sometimes preferable to a long period of difficult suspense. This is also Germany’s viewpoint. Fascism’s doctrines and my will remain inflexible. We shall march with Germany on every question in Europe. Through the military alliance the axis becomes an unbreakable union.” Signor Mussolini prefaced his remarks by saying that the objective of his review of the situation was to show tnere did not at present exist in Europe problerris of such magnitude as to justify a war which would become universal. An Italian and German alliance was to be signed in Berlin before the end of the month, the result of which would cause confusion and humiliation to those continually attempting to spy cut bends and breaks in the axis. He warned against the continuation of ridiculous illusions and K superficial casuistry. CRITICISM INVITED. “The polemists of the great democracies are invited to give a fair opinion of our viewpoint. We do not desire peace simply because of our internal situation, which, of course, is well known as catastrophic. (The crowd cheered in irony). Our adversaries have vainly waited 17 years for the catastrophe. They will have to wait a long time. “We do not desire peace because of a cynical fear of war, which is unknown to us. (Boos and cheers). Armchair strategists studiously examining portions of. our frontiers mention an easy passage through the Po Valley. This would not be possible when there exists a compact people of 45,000,000 on this side of the Alps. Piedmont’s military history has shown that it would not be healthy for anyone to walk into Italy'. “We must ask whether the great democracies share the sincere desire for peace existing in the Totalitarian States. I confine myself to saying that, judging from their acts, it is permissible to doubt it. Wars are won not only with gold. The only gold worth while is will and courage.” WORDS DELETED OFFICIAL TEXT ALTERED. (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 14. Ihe official text of Signor Mussolini’s speech at the opening of the. Economic Self-Sufficiency Exhibition at Turin says the Duce stated: “We will march with Germany to give ,'Europe t-iat peace with justice which is the profound desire of ail peoples.” The News Agency deleted the words "on every question in Europe.” PACIFIC & MODERATE DIPLOMATIC OPINION ON SPEECH. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) LONDON, May 14. Diplomatic quarters consider Signor Mussolini’s speech pacific and moderate. His reference to there being no questions on which there is need to fight is interpreted as leaving the door open. The general atmosphere has become by no means worse.