WELL JUSTIFIED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 July 1943, Page 3

WELL JUSTIFIED

THE BOMBING OF ROME

VITAL LINK IN ITALY’S RAIL SYSTEM. AND FASCIST NERVE CENTRE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON July 20. “Washington observers consider that the attack on Rome and the appeal by Messrs. Roosevelt and Churchill were both intended as a blow at the Italian morale as much as at railways and military installations,” says the “New York Times.” “Informed circles who a few months ago said that Italy was so much under German! control that she could not withdraw from the war if she would, ’ the newspaper adds, “now point out that the conquest of North Africa and the invasion of Sicily have so completely changed the military situation that Italy's surrender may be not far distant.” “The bombing of Rome ends one of the fiercest arguments of the war.” says the “Daily Mail” in a leader “The decision to bomb military objectives in Rome will be applauded by the majority of British people. It had been suspected that we held off bombing for fear of injuring susceptibilities and ancient monuments, but this was -not so. Mr. Churchill said two years ago that we should not hestitate to bomb Rome “if the course of the war rendered such action convenient, and helpful.’. That time has come, because Rome is a vital link in Italy’s rail system, and also because, under the cloak of supposed immunity, Mussolini has deliber ately brought industries into Rome. Rome is not only a shrine of Roman Catholicism but also the nerve centre of Fascism.”

“The Times” says: "The military importance of Rome is not open to question. The city is an essential rail point in the supply line between the north and south and as such its relation to the battle of Sicily cannot be ignored. Terrorisation by promiscuous bombing is not and never has been a factor of Allied strategy. The war will be won by unconditional concentration upon the ruin of the enemy’s armed forces and war potential and the bombing policy has conformed with that policy and will continue to do so.” The Washington correspondent of the United Press says that United States Senators including Catholics, commenting on the bombing of Rome, agreed that it was merely what must be expected. ENEMY ALLEGATIONS.

Reuter’s commentator says the Rome radio indirectly admitted the accuracy of the bombing All buildings included in its list of places hit lie close to a railway terminus goods station, large barracks or military parade ground. The Axis is making the most of raid propaganda. The Rome radio said the Allies bombed the famous Church of San Lorenzo, University City, and also the residential districts of Campo Verano, San Lorenzo, Prenestino and Tiburtino. The radio added that’ the San Lorenzo Church, containing the tombs of many Popes, was destroyed. The Italian news agency says that only the side walls of the Basilica of San Lorenzo and two columns of the porch are left standing. The Pope learned with acute grief that San Lorenzo had been hit by several bombs, says the Rome radio. Accompanied by the Under-Secretary of State, the Pope drove to the Basilica, where he inspect ed the damage. Returning to the Vatican, his Holiness insisted on driving through residential quarters where the bombs had caused the main damage. According to the Paris radio, the Vatican Under-Secretary of State received the American Charge d’Affaires, to whom he expressed indignation which was felt by the Vatican concerning the raid. VATICAN AS REFUGE. Thousands of persons in Rome are reported to be trying to evacuate tb the country or to move to the Trastevere district, which is nearest to • the Vatican, says the Berne correspondent of the Brtiish United Press. The wish to cluster round the Vatican is prompted by the Italians’ certainty that the Allies’ promise not to touch the Vatican will be kept. A “Daily Express" correspondent on the Axis frontier says that the unexpected raid caused scenes of panic in Rome. Many refugees from the bombed areas in Sicily had recently arrived in Rome, and when the alarm was sounded frantic crowds almost immediately blocked shelters. Many of the police, it is reported, disappeared from the streets, leaving the crowds struggling uncontrolled.