ITALIAN THREATS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1940, Page 5

ITALIAN THREATS

MADE PROFESSEDLY ON EVE OF WAR STATEMENT OF QUESTIONS OUTSTANDING. IN SEMI-OFFICIAL REVIEW. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. ROME, June 9. The newspaper “Giornale ilTtalia” threatens that five English cities will be bombed for every Italian city that is bombed. It adds that a bombardment of Rome would be the signal for greater bombardment of London. Special measures are being fallen throughout Italy to protect monuments and art treasures. The principal art galleries are closed and the pictures have been removed.

A report by the Economic War Bureau emphasises Italian grievances against the Allied blockade, describing the blockade as intolerable. The semi-official review “Relazioni Internazionali” states, “On the eve of a solemn event for the Italian people it is opportune to recall for the benefit of foreigners tnese simple final points: “First, Italy and Signor Mussolini have for the past 18 years followed a revisionist policy of peace. “Secondly, France and Britain either openly or secretly have opposed this policy. “Thirdly, when the Italian people ask for soil to till they are offered deserts, and when they want to settle the question of Abyssinia they are subjected to sanctions.

“Fourthly, France and Britain have belittled everything Italian,. both in their home and foreign policies. “Fifthly, this war must settle for the Italian people the outstanding territorial questions. Nice, Corsica, Tunisia and Jibuti must also be free from European domination by a nation who has established a hegemony over and a monopoly in raw materials. ■ “Sixthly the Italian people must ensure for the nation and the empire independence on the seas. “This new war that the Italian people must make is a war of supreme independence.” HOPES OF GAIN SOVIET AGAIN WARNS ITALY. ACTION ON BEHALF OF SMALL NATIONS. (Received This Day, 8.55 a.m.) MOSCOW, June 9. A radio message stated: “A certain nation, profiting from the international situation, would like to extend its power in the Mediterranean, by taking territory from small nations. This nation should remember that some small nations have powerful friends. We are ready at any moment to prevent such moves from whatever direction they come.”