MESSAGE TO ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 September 1943, Page 3

MESSAGE TO ITALY

FROM MESSRS ROOSEVELT 1 & CHURCHILL GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE. URGED TO RISE AGAINST GERMANS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON. September 12. From Washington President Roosevelt and Mr Churchill have issued a joint appeal to Marshal Badoglio and the people of Italy to rise against the forces of Germany on Italian soil, adding: “The liberating armies of the western world are coming to your rescue. We have strong forces, and are entering at many points.”

The United Press of America says that some quarters in Washington interpret this statement as indicating that the Allies are not receiving the desired co-operation from the Italian Army. The messages were presumably shortwaved to the Italian people, and dropped from Allied planes. It is pointed out that the message was not addressed to ‘King Victor Emmanuel, abdication is reported. A message from New York says that Count Sforza, one-time Italian Foreign Minister who has been in exile in the United States, will return to Italy shortly to assist in the establishment of a democratic regime. Count Sforza said he was going as a private citizen at the request of the leaders of the Italian Action Party, an underground organisation. He added that he had the permission of the British and United States Governments.

According to neutral reports, Marshal Badoglio, General Ambrosio (the Italian Commander-in-Chief), their Italian Majesties and Crown Prince Umberto, have arrived at Palermo, Sicily, which is expected to be the new seat of the Italian Government. Another message says that the Italian Queen arrived in Switzerland yesterday. Badoglio and King Victor Emmanuel last night, in broadcasts which were recorded in the United States, urged the Italians to abide by the terms of the armistice and defend the nation against the German attacks.