ITALY’S POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20918, 25 September 1939, Page 8

ITALY’S POLICY

MAINTAIN NEUTRALITY SPEECH BY MUSSOLINI NO REASON TO CHANGE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 23 In his first speech since taking his vow of silence last May, Signor Mussolini said:— “Italy has no reason to change the policy of neutrality fixed on September 1 by the'Cabinet.” II Duce said the moment had arrived to end the European hostilities. The British and French Governments, with the prudent intention of localising the conflict, had done nothing more to face Russia’s fait accompli in Poland, but they had consequently compromised their moral justification in acting against the German fait accompli. The Rome correspondent of the New York Times says the closest analysis of Signor Mussolini’s speech gives no clue to the reasons for his continued insistence upon the uselessness of continuing the war. Wants War Ended “It would be a mistake,” says the correspondent, “to regard the speech as particularly pro-German. It was rather pro-Italian, for Signor Mussolini wants the war ended now. Otherwise, he intends to stay neutral. “The reduction of the garrison in the Dodecanese Islands, off the coast of Asia Minor, and the similar withdrawal of troops from the Greek frontier, are directed to maintenance of peace in the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean. As such, it can be regarded as a friendly gesture to Britain and France, the only threat to whom in that area would be from Italy. “Thus, as the menace of war in the Balkans increases, Italy is withdrawing. There *could hardly be a clearer indication that, whatever happens in the Balkans, Italy will remain neutral. “Italy’s prime consideration* is to keep the Mediterranean open, otherwise her mercantile structure will collapse. “Commercial relations between Britain and Italy and France and Italy are developing considerably. Italy needs raw materials which are not obtainable from Russia and Germany. She also needs cash, which Great Britain and France, not Berlin, are able to pay.”