NO PROMISES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 October 1943, Page 4

NO PROMISES

GIVEN TO THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT STATEMENT BY VISCOUNT CRANBORNE ARMISTICE TERMS NOT ' AFFECTED (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.52 a.m.) RUGBY, October 14. The leader of the House of Lords, Viscount Cranborne, replying for the Government in a debate on the position regarding Marshal Badoglio and his associates, said: “Our relations with the Italian Government are based on the armistice terms. No obligations have been entered into and no promises given. The most we have told the Italian Government is that the extent to which the surrender terms will be modified in application will depend upon the degree of assistance which Italy renders us in the future prosecution of the war against Germany. It is clear that the position under the armistice is in no way altered by the King s declaration of war on Germany. It is true we welcome the declaration as an earnest of his intention to exert all the force in his power against what has 'become a common enemy but that does 'not involve the United Nations or any member of the United Nations in any further obligations to Italy. There are no secrets or implied commitments of any kind.” Viscount Cranborne said the three Power statement on Italy’s action was believed to be the first time such a document has been issued jointly by Britain, the United States and Russia and was very satisfactory evidence of the identity of view and closeness of collaboration between them on this question. It was the Government's intention that the present Italian Government should be broadened by the inclusion of representatives of'all antiFascist elements and both the King and Marshal Badoglio stated that they intended to build up such a Government. Meanwhile, they should be glad to see the arrival of any democratic leaders in Italy. Every facility had been given for the return of Count Sforza. He saw Mr Churchill and Mr Eden and was now on his way to Italy.

Referring to criticisms of having had any dealings with the King and Marshal Badoglio, Viscount Cranborne pointed out the necessity for the Allies to deal with some authority. It appeared to them that the King and Marshal Badoglio had the necessary authority. "Both before and since the armistice they had acted towards us in good faith and had done their utmost to comply loyally, with the armistice conditions,” he said.

As to Generals Ambrosio and Roatta an inquiry had already been instituted and if the grave charges made against them were substantiated appropriate action would be taken. The Government certainly did not desire the inclusion in the Italian Government of any man proved to be responsible for acts of barbarity against any of the United Nations.