FRANCE AS BOOTY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 November 1940, Page 6

FRANCE AS BOOTY

MUSSOLINI ENLARGES ON HIS HOPES “DEMANDS MUST.BE SATISFIED.” NEW CALL ON FASCIST PARTY. .(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, November 18. Signor Mussolini, referring to France in his speech, said: “It is already clear that the Axis does not desire a peace of revenge and rancour. It is also true that certain claims and demands must be satisfied. Italy’s demands must be accepted without compromise and without a temporary solution. “It will be possible only after a complete clarification of the situation within the orbit of the new Europe to begin a new chapter in the troubled history of Italian-French relations;”

Mussolini concluded with a special reference to the Fascist Party, which he said must intensify its activity amongst the masses. There had been a certain slackening of activities since the outbreak of war, due to many leaders going to the front. This was not now the case.

“The 1 re << will not be a general mobilisation,” he added. “We have a million men under arms, but in case of necessity could call up eight millions. The party must free itself and the nation from any small bourgeois ideas. We must maintain and accentuate the atmosphere of hard times and move, nearer the people than heretofore t'o protect their moral health and material existence. A certain kind' of pacifism of an intellectual, universal tint must be closely watched and fought. Nothing must exist outside the supreme goal. That is why we are armed.” UNLIMITED BOASTS. Mussolini described the destruction of the French Army as without precedent in proportion and unbelievable in its rapidity. Italy had entered the war to carry out her alliance and break the chains binding the seas. The armed forces of Italy's African empire, which according to the forecast of the enemy should have been broken up, had instead taken the initiative. “It was we,” he said, “who attacked in Libya. The swift occupation of Sidi Barrani must not be considered a conclusion, but merely a prologue to acts of valour by Italian soldiers on all fronts which will make the nation proud. The Italian Navy is protecting lines communications in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic in such an efficient manner that the enemy Navy is unable to interrupt or hamper them. The Italian Air Force dominates the skies. Four times as many Italian planes are now coming from Italian workshops as before the war.” Mussolini paid a tribute to the discipline and strength of the Italian people, “who knew this decisive war must be fought to a conclusion and end in the annihilation of a modern Carthage.”

BRITISH NAVY IN HIDING. He described the Italian war bulletins as a perfect mirror of truth. Only one ship, he said was seriously damaged at Taranto. Its reconditioning would take a long time. The other two could and would be swiftly restored to their former efficiency. It was false that two other warships and two auxiliary ships had been sunk, hit or damaged. Mr Churchill might have completed the picture by. telling the House of Commons of the fate suffered by British units torpedoed recently in the Central Mediterranean and Alexandria. “Our Navy, Air Force and submarines,” the Duce declared, “are repeatedly giving the British Navy in its hideout at Alexandria a taste of our arms.” Mussolini glowingly referred to Hitler as an “army commander who has been confirmed by victory in his genius-like conception of strategy, which in some quarters may even have been regarded as too audacious or daring, and also a revolutionary who had awakened his people and made them the protagonists of a world revolution similar to Fascism.”

A correcting message states that Mussolini gave the Italian casualties during the first ten' days’ fighting in Epirus as 372 dead, 1.081 wounded and 650 missing.

THE NAVY SPEAKS ITALIAN SOMALILAND PORT BOMBARDED. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE DONE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) RUGBY, November 18. The Admiralty states that British light forces have carried out another naval bombardment, this time at Dante, in Italian Somaliland, on oil tanks, coastal and anti-aircraft batteries and a landing pier. It is reported that all targets appear to be badly damaged. We suffered no damage or casualties.