DICTATORS AT ODDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1940, Page 6

DICTATORS AT ODDS

ACCORDING TO LONDON COMMENTATOR MUSSOLINI MUCH IN NEED OF HELP. HARD TERMS LAID DOWN BY HITLER. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, December 1. “Hitler and Mussolini have quarrelled over Greece,” says the “Sunday Dispatch” diplomatic correspondent. “Mussolini learned that Hitler, in order to propitiate Vichy, did not intend to hand over to Italy large portions of the French Colonial as arranged at the Brenner Pass talks. “Mussolini, determined to strengthen his bargaining position, -struck at Greece, which was not expected to offer resistance. This disastrous campaign has involved both Hitler and Mussolini in difficulties. Hitler probably is willing to let Italy reach a stage at which she must sue for German assistance, but he cannot ignore the fact that Greek resistance is upsetting his Balkan plans. Moreover, Mussolini’s prestige with the Italian people is seriously threatened and anti-German feeling is growing stronger.” The correspondent states that Hitler has set the following price on German assistance: — (1) The conversion of Trieste into a free port. (2) German occupation of portion of the Dalmation coast, which Italy has long coveted. (3) German control of Italy’s war effort. Mussolini considers the price too high. It might result in a revolution. In fact the terms have scared him, his party and its military chiefs.