FIGHT IN BALKANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 January 1943, Page 4

FIGHT IN BALKANS

ITALY’S FORMIDABLE TASK

MUCH RESISTANCE.

CONQUEST FAR FROM COMPLETE.

The monthly Italian, communiques of war losses show that more Italians are being killed in the Balkans' than on any other front, states Grga Zlatoper, a Yugoslav writer, in “Free Europe.” In May, for instance, 475 Italians were Said to have been killed, 783 wounded, and 78 missing in the Balkans. These figures are, no doubt, an under-state-ment of the actual casualties. The Rome wireless disclosed that air operations had been conducted in Yugoslavia through the winter; and that the Second Italian Army, the Navy, and Air Force in the Balkans had been reorganised as a self-contained fighting force under the name “armed forces of Slovenia and Dalmatia.” General Roatta, Commander-in-Chief of Italian troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina, made two appeals last month to the people asking them to lay down arms and refrain from helping the “rebels.”

“Popolo d’ltalia” has admitted that the “unquenchable love of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes for Yugoslavia is a spiritual motive power animating that people in their struggle against Italy.” General Armelini last month issued an order to the troops of the Bergamo Division congratulating them on their behaviour during a “mopping up operation in Yugoslavia.” At the same time the Havas Agency reported from Rome that heavy fighting tyad broken out in the Mosor mountains in. Dalmatia and that the Blackshirts of the Squadrista battalion had displayed conspicuous bravery. These facts clearly indicate how the Italians are faring in the “spazio Vitale” they claim for themselves. The conquest of the Balkans, which is one of the basic aims of Italian policy, has never been so remote as it is today, in spite of the Croat puppet stqte. and the army of occupation. OCCUPIED TERRITORY. Yugoslav territory held by the Italians may be divided as follows: 1. The territory occupied by the Italians in 1918, where over 700,000 Slovenes and Croats live. Here Italy is pursuing a ruthless policy of denationalisation. 2. The territory incorporated after April, 1941. It consists of part of Slovenia, which had been given a semblance of provincial autonomy, the upper maritime province around Susak, the northern and central part of Dalmatia, including Sibenik and Split with the islands, and Boka Kotorska, including part of the Dubrovnik district.

A policy of ruthless Italianisation is being pursued throughout this territory. Many members of the professions have been interned. Young people are shot for any attempt to resist. The Italians are not fastidious in their methods of subjugation, which range from the “cultured” Italian castor oil treatment to the cruder Teutonic forms. According to a report reaching London from Yugoslavia they behave as they did in Ethiopia. Everything that recalls the Slav character of the land, such as monuments and street names, has been removed. Italian has been introduced as the chief language into the curriculum of the elementary and secondary schools. All the ships belonging to the Dubrovnik • shipping company, that is to “independent” Croatia, have been sailing since August, 1941, under the Italian and not the Croat flag. Every day, in the market square of the Dalmatian town, the Italian flag is hoisted with an appropriate ceremony. People refusing to raise the arm in the Fascist salute are treated with castor oil or are beaten up. SAVAGE TREATMENT. April 15, the anniversary of the Italian occupation of Dalmatia, was celebrated by the Italian authorities. During the service in a church at Split several schoolboys were laughing. Seeing this their teapher, named Ciro Gamulin, remarked, “This is not a day for laughing, but for weeping.” The teacher a was denounced to the police, who arrested him. He was beaten up and subjected to savage treatment; a few days later he died. Dr. Basini, a well-known physician at Sibenik,. was interned because he did not speak Italian to Italian soldiers. 3. The occupation of Montenegro is, the Italians say, only temporary; they have promised to create an “independent” State there. So far, however, they have failed to find a candidate for the throne of the future “kingdom.” A member of the Petrovic Njegos dynasty, which remains loyal to the Karadzordzevices of Yugoslavia, refused the “throne” when it was offered to him. There have been several clashes between the patriots in Montenegro and the Italians, who have suffered heavy casualties. As a reprisal the Italians razed several ’townships to the ground. 4. Part of “independent” Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are occupied by the Italian Army. The power of the Ustasi is only nominal. Even at Zagreb there are two battalions or Italian militia, under General Ossili. Clashes between the Germans, Italians, and Ustasi are the order of the day. Poglavnik Pavelic favours the Italians, while the first “Croat Marshal” Kva.ternik is a supporter of the Germans. Italian troops in Bosnia are commanded by the well-known General Roatta. and the German troops by General Bader Lately the Germans have been trying to put their officers in command of Italian troops fighting the Yugoslav patriots. But the interests of the two clash.

LEVY IMPOSED BY ITALIANS. All the Italians are getting from, decupled Yugoslavia is 125,000,000 lire a month exacted from the people as a special occupation levy. They are compelled to keep a force of 17 divisions in Yugoslav territory, yet the Duke of Spoleto has not thought it safe to set foot on the soil of his “kingdom. Italy’s aims in Yugoslavia may thus be summarised: From the first days of occupation the Italians have played off the Serbs against the Croats. They have organised and armed the Ustasi, and then photographed the .crimes committed by them. The material thus collected was to serve as evidence that the Serbs cannot live together with the Croats without the overlordship of a strong Power. The Italians know that the present situation is only temporary and reckon with two possibilities: If the Axis win, Italy hopes to retain direct or indirect control of all the districts, she is now occupying, and if the Axis lose Jne war it is Italy’s aim to prevent the restoration of Yugoslavia and retain’ at least part of Dalmatia, where Governor Bastianini, who was last Italian Ambassador in London, js busy erecting Venetian lions to give the country an Italian appearance The Slav character of Dalmatia, however, cannot be obliterated by stone lions, Italian divisions, and clumsy attempts to falsify historical facts. The Italians may try to undermine Yugoslavia’s future, but her people, following the example of 20 years ago are convinced that they will again achieve independence through the suffering and sacrifice they have brought in the cause of freedom.