STREAMS OF ABUSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1943, Page 4

STREAMS OF ABUSE

POURED OUT BY ITALIAN RADIOS ——■ ON SUBJECT OF ALLIED BOMBING. WITH WARNINGS THAT WORSE IS TO BE EXPECTED. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, June 6. The Italian radios today kept up a stream of abuse about the Allied air attacks, and at the same time warned their listeners to be ready for something worse. Many stations continued to claim that the Allies only attacked churches, vil-

lages and homes. The Rome radio stated: “In order to match the atavistic efficiency of their British cousins and to fall in with the customs of their Redskin compatriots, the Americans have decided to employ negro flying officers for terror raids against Europe.” Another Rome radio broadcast claimed in one breath that the Axis air forces commanded the Mediterranean and in the next breath said that Allied air raids would get worse. “The Axis air forces,” it was stated, “continue to maintain an effective control over Mediterranean waters. The enemy air forces, however, continue massed raids against Pantelleria, Sardinia and Calabria. The British and American bombing are only helping to unite Italians. Every fallen wall is one more reason for the Italians to resist, no matter what may happen.”

As an example to the country, a Rome broadcaster cited the courage of the Pantelleria garrison. “Pantelleria,” he said, “is one of the most forward ramparts of Italy’s defences and a symbol of the tenacity of Italians.” Reports reaching Switzerland state that Italians are now living under front line conditions. A severe austerity drive has been organised. Many Italians have been imprisoned because they attempted to organise entertainments. Congestion on the roads and railways appears to be increasing. FASCIST PURGE LIKELY. Rome is stated to be without fruit and vegetables owing to the over-bur-dening of trains conveying troops and supplies. Mussolini, according to the Rome radio, has decided to court-martial workers in areas exposed to air raids who desert their jobs and seek sanctuary elsewhere. Inside information, quoted by the Independent French Agency's Cairo correspondent, indicates that the Fascist leaders are taking measures to meet the military and political crisis. Measures of the past few weeks suggest that a Fasciste Party purge is likely, so that, should a popular revolt break out, no anti-Fascist or neutral elements within the party should endanger its existence. Reuter’s Madrid correspondent quotes the Italian newspaper “Relazioni International?’ as saying: “Italy will be defended to the bitter end. We shall not surrender. Italy in her trench stakes her dignity and honour alike.”