MOVING NORTH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1943, Page 3

MOVING NORTH

AND NOT BEING WELCOMED REFUGEES FROM SOUTHERN JTALY. ANGRY TALK ABOUT WAR. OF NERVES. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) L’ONDON, May 19. Thousands of Italians fled northward from Rome after thl R.A.F. appeared over the capital last Sunday in the raid on the nearby Lido di Roma, reports the “Daily Mail’s” Geneva correspondent. Local authorities as far north as Florence, 160 miles away, have protested against this refugee invasion, and they claim that the foodstuffs are not sufficient for the resident population.

Thousands of refugees from the coastal regions in southern Italy have swollen the numbers, and southerners are never popular in the north of Italy. The Rome correspondent of the Swiss newspaper “Neue Zurcher Zeitung” declares that the R.A.F. has dropped leaflets on Rome demanding unconditional surrender, and also listing forthcoming Italian targets, including Rome —a fact which caused great concern. The Rome radio, quoting Signor Virginio Gayda, says: “Now that the war has enterred an exteremely delicate stage the Anglo-Saxon Powers consider it opportune to accelerate the war of nerves against Italians. They hope to conclude the war with Italy as early as possible. The methods in their war of nerves include the circulation of fantastic rumours, such as the creation of a council of six, including the King and Signor Mussolini, and also the appointment of Field-Marshal Badoglio as commander-in-chief. This war of nerves will be unsuccessful.”

According to reports received from Italy, says Reuter’s Lisbon correspondent, crowds cried: “Long live the King!" in demonstrations in several Italian towns after rumours that King Victor Emmanuel had abdicated. Mussolini’s name was not mentioned. The most reliable information suggests that reports of an imminent abdication should not be credited.