Evening star., 1938-05-06
DUCE'S MILITARY
SHOWN To HITLER
Chemicals and Artillery
Have Lime|ight in
Spectacle.


Returning Mussolini's risiS to him
last taH ReichStuehrer Hitler ar
Siped in Rome early this meek to
be guest OF italian dictator and to
discuss neU things for Rome-Ber-
lin arts. Yesterday Hitler Sap naval
demonstration at Naples. first of
tour big sho,ps his host is staging
IN his honor.
- The Associated Press.
ROME. May 6-The next European
war-if it comes-will be largely a
struggle with chemicals, flames and
artillery if Premier MusSolini's lineup
Of armed forces today in honor of
Reichsfuehrer Hitler was an indica-
ton.
Also, it will be the "totalitarian war"
Of which the late master strategist,
Gen. Erich Ludendorff, wrote, mean
ing that women and children would
be quite as much drafted into service
as men,
Mussolini showed his guest whole
chemical regiment" that sent
tators. The soldiers looked like beings
from another planet in their gas
masks.
Among their equipment were tanks
and tubes and compressed air con-
tainerS. There was. however, reas-
surance for Italians in equipment for
fighting fire and disease germs.
Artillery Is Prominent
Further feature of the impressive
tvo-hour parade was the prominence
given to artillery, from machine guns
and anti-aircraft pieces to heavy cam
non. II Duce seemed determined to
show his German guests he was not
lacking in the gruesome implements OF
war.
Besides Hitler and his encourage of
high Nazis, Mussolinis guests in
cluded two former Kings. Alfonso of
Spain and Amanullah of Afghanistan.
How seriously Mussolini is thinking
1t future war as .'totalitarian" may be
judged by the fact that his review in
cluded not only regular army units
infantry. cavalry. artillery and CO.
lonials-but also small boys, girls in
black uniform. teen-age youngsters
on horseback military units of uni
versity students and various Fascist
formations. including the Colonial
Fascist police.
Nor did he hesitate to incorporate
apade-carrying labor camp conscripts
in the parade
An interesting phase of the display
vas the jaunty march-past of Alpine
troops with their ruckSacks and skis.
Among them one could detect many
Teutonic face from South Tyrol.
When the Alpini passed Hitler
hooked on gravely, pensively, while
Mussolini. who usually explained each
formation in his capable German.
iapsed into silence
Both relaxed into smiles soon after
ward as the picturesque Bersaglieri
trooped by on the run, their band
playing as the musicians trotted
along.
Hitler stood in the monuments of
the imperial Rome of an ancient day
TO witness the tremendous military re-
view symbolizing the war power of the
modern Italian Empire.
The reviewing stand where Der
Fuehrer stood with King Vittorio
Enanuele. members of the royal fam
lily and marshals of Italy was in the
Via del Trionfl, through which Cae-
sar's legions once marched.
Within sight were the triumphal
arch Of Constantine and the Colos-
scum
''Passo Romano Performed.
All but few of the 10000 troops
made snappy use of the "passo Ro-
mano'-the italian version of the
German goose step
The sore leg muscles of the Italians
testified to the pain expended in recent
weeks to make this demonstration of
the difficult step impressive to the
present-day custodian of German
Prussia's military tradition
Mussolini was clad in the uniform
Of an honorary corporal of the Fascist
militia. Hitler wore on the sleeve of
his khaki tunic an emblem of the same
rank, which Mussolini conferred upon
him.
Besides 2.500 horses. 800 motor cars
and 400 motor cycles in the parade
40 tanks. 200 heavy cannon and 400
light field guns rumbled and clat-
tered by.
Adding color to the review were
Ldbysn regiments of cavalry and in
fsntry.
It was the second of four great war
shows arranged in the honor of the
man who rearmed Germany
sham battle and a mammoth
aerial circus were yet on the program.
Duce Believed Reassured.
It was believed Hitler again had
assured Mussolini that his purpose of
uniting all Germans in one Reich
would not apply to Germans in italy.
Diplomats recalled that both Italy
and France in the recently initiated
friendship conversations paralleling
the Anglo-Italian agreement had said
they expected to complete preliminary
negotiations before Hitler's visit, and
ssid there was no doubt Hitler had
brought about a delay.
They looked for the course these
negotiations henceforth would pursue
h be an indication Of the understand
ing reached during this visit of Hitler
10 Rome.
nEpPY nav Dali