Evening star., 1939-09-05
Ber|in-Rome Axis
Believed Finished.
Duce Popularity Rises
Population EIoted ,
1t Is Being Spared
Horrors of Conflict
Tert OF Italian Statement, Page Alb

TeTt OF ltdttdn StdteWent, rage A-I3
BY the Associated Press.
ROME, Sept. 5.-Premier Musso-
lini has Europe guessing as to which
way Italy will turn now that war
has come with italy still on the side
lines.
The man who tor years told Ital-
ians they were warrior people and
insisted war is "a natural event in
the life 6f people" is for the mo-
ment Europe's chief apostle of
peace.
Italian newspapers have stressed
II Duce's efforts to save the peace
at the last minute and published
documents to prove his efforts.
The Premier indicates plainly he
has no plan for involving Italy in
war right now, for he has ap-
proved the sailing of Italy's two
finest merchant vessels, the Rex
and the Monte di Savoia, for the
United States to carry hundreds
of Americans home. The Rex will
leave Naples Saturday and the
Conte di Savoia September 13.
Some See End of Axis.
There has been only one official
statement of policy in the last few
days. That was to the effect Italy
is taking no military initiative.
Virginio Gayda, the highly au-
thoritative commentator, wrote in
II Giornale dItalia that it must
not be supposed Italy intends to be
relegated to the background.
She will remain present and
watching over the protection of all
Italian interests and to make sure
that the course of events takes that
direction capable of giving and hur-
rying up true peace with justice for
Europe"
Some persons believe the Rome
Berlin axis is finished. Others be-
lieve Mussolini is negotiating with
Britain and France to see what Italy
might gain by neutrality or taking
their side.
Others believe Musolini is remain
Ing neutral for the present and
then, when the time comes, he will
step in on Hitler's side.
What Italy Used to Say.
In any case, affairs are shaping
up in manner different from what
italian spokesmen forecast.
Only few months ago, II Duce
said if war came, Italy's side was
chosen-with Germany.
I'VE will march with Germany in
the indivisible communion of two
states and two peoples"
On May %. the day after the
1talian-German military alliance
was signed, Gayda wrote. Inter
vention on behalf of an ally comes
If either one of the powers for any
reason finds itself engaged in war"
Italians generally are delighted
with the way things are going for
Italy. Mussolini, at this moment,
probably has more genuine admira-
ton. devotion and affection from
his people than in his whole long
career.
I'll Duce is smart, and he will
lead us through this" the people
say.
People Openly Pleased.
Life is almost normal in Italy.
The strain of few days ago, when
the people feared they were being
plunged into a conflict. has dimin-
ished notably. The cities now are
lighted at night. There is a short
age of coffee and sugar, but other
wise food is plentiful. The people
are calm.
One factor tends to bolster the
theory Mussolini is not going to
war on the side of Hitler-that the
Rome-Berlin axis never has been
popular among all the people.
After months of propaganda about
alleged injustices by France toward
Italy, many Italians were resigned
to fighting on Germany's side as a
practical means of advancing Ital-
.an interests.
But now that the propaganda has
stopped and the people have ex-
pressed relief at not having to go
to war at once; more remarks
against the Germans are heard.