EVENT ACCLAIMED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 July 1943, Page 3

EVENT ACCLAIMED

BY THE LONDON PAPERS WRITING ON THE WALL FOR HITLER ANIIUIPAILD DtVtLUFMtN IS. IMPORTANT IN THEIR BEARING ON WAR. (By Telegraph—Press Association -Copyright) LONDON, July, 26. The London morning papers devote their leading articles to Mussolini’s resignation. All acclaim it as the fall of one of the world’s dictators, and indicate that the "writing is on the wall” for Hitler.

Diplomatic writers, commenting on the resignation, says it has not come as a surprise in London in view of the regime's obvious difficulties recently. They regard the meeting between Hitler and Mussolini as Mussolini’s last attempt to save his position. Some also think it is intended to be a prelude to peace negotiations. Military and diplomatic circles in Washington regard the Italian news as a first step toward an Italian peace appeal, which would be followed by Allied occupation, specially of the northern airfields. It is also thought that Hungary, Rumania and Bulgaria will hasten appeals for peace in order to get better terms. It is expected that Badoglio will try for a negotiated peace, but that he will accept unconditional surrender as qualified by the statement of Messrs. Roosevelt and Churchill, indicating generous treatment.

Military circles predict that Germany will not try. to force Italy to continue the war, but will withdraw her troops to protect the road to Austria.

They point out that surrender of the Italian fleet, though it has done no fighting lately, would complete the Allied naval control of the Mediterranean, thereby releasing Allied naval power for reinforcements in the Pacific.