ITALY’S “TRAGEDY”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1943, Page 3

ITALY’S “TRAGEDY”

MUSSOLINI BROADCASTS OVER THE NAZI CONTROLLED RADIO. DENUNCIATION OF KING VICTOR EMMANUEL. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, September 18. Mussolini, broadcasting over the German-controlled, radio, denounced King Victor Emmanuel and urged the Italians to take up arms by the side of Germany and Japan. He explained that he had waited for some time before speaking to the Italians because “after a period of moral isolation it was necessary for me to regain contact with the world.” He described at length his “removal and recapture by Hitler’s men, which he said was only a trifle compared with the terrible tragedy into which the Italian nation was plunged on July 26 by the liberal democratic constitutional Government. “The Italians, including the Fascists, with their unbelievable optimism thought it impossible that such plans could have been made against the party, against, the regime and against the entire nation.” He said, ‘but the measures taken July 15, reveal that all were prepared to undo the achievements of 20 years, to extinguish the glory of those 20 years, and remove every memory of the creation of an empire. They are today in search of some compromise, for some justification for him who bears the responsibility of it all. "We, while claiming our full responsibilities, wish to define precisely the responsibilities of others, above all those of the King, who knows himself found out, but who failed to resign as all Italians expected He can and must be brought directly to account. It is his dynasty which .has represented the centre of defeatism against German propaganda, though he himself declared war.

His heir took over command of the southern army. He never appeared on the battlefield. I am convinced that the House of Savoy worked it out down to the smallest detail, carrying it out in co-operation with their accomplice,' Badoglio, and all his cowardly generals, as well as some members of the Fascist Party.” AN ALLEGED BETRAYAL. Mussolini said that Negotiations between "the Governments in Rome and London were initiated before his arrest. He accused the King of betraying Germany by continuing to deny even after the signature of the armistice that such negotiations were in existence. He described the armistice terms as the “hardest which could possibly be imagined” and said that their enemies did not hide the way in which they despised the Italians. Every Italian would be affected thereby. The Italians had lost all their gains in the Adriatic and the lonian seas and in southern France. The Balkans army was dispersed and disarmed by its own allies. Humiliated, the navy had surrendered to Malta which was and would, to an even greater extent be the strong-hold of British imperialism in the Mediterranean. The air force had salvaged a considerable part of its equipment but had practically no power of action. “It was not Fascism which betrayed the monarchy, but the monarchy which betrayed Fascism,” declared Mussolini. “Once a monarchy fails to accomplish its task, it has lost the right to exist. The basic tendency in Italy has always been more republican than monarchist. The new state is to be a national socialist state —a Fascist state in the widest sense in which the term is understood. Tn its initial period, in expectation tfiat our movement will be irresistible, we postulate the following demands: First, again take up arms side by side with Germany and Japan and our other allies. Only by blood can such an ignominous page be expunged from the history of our fatherland. “Secondly, embark immediately on reconstruction of the armed forces, which are to be grouped round the militia. Only those who bear arms and fight for a creed can conquer. “Thirdly, the removal of traitors, especially those who on July 25 professed allegience to the new Government and thus join the ranks of our enemies, after having been members of the party for 20 years. “Fourthly, the removal of the plutocracy and the establishment of a social base on which the State can be resurrected, founded on the labour of its citizens. POOR EFFORT DOUBTS EXPRESSED. AS TO WHETHER MUSSOLINI SPOKE. LONDON, September 19. Radio monitors agree that Mussolini’s speech was a“ spiritless comeback.” The speedi was delivered much faster than usual and lacked the old animation. Some doubt is even expressed if it was Mussolini speaking. Members of the British United Press monitoring staff who have often heard Mussolini believe it was not the ex-Duce speaking. “Mussolini may have written the speech, but whoever delivered it spoke quietly without raising his voice, which is most unnatural for Mussolini. Also, he did not use any of Mussolini’s rhetorical flourishes.”