Evening star., 1939-09-04
Duce Silent on Course
But Involvement
Soon Is Predicted
Allies Due to Ask His
Intentions; May Wait to
See How Wind Blows


By the Associated Press.
ROME, Sept. Added indica-
ton of Italy's intention to remain
neutral in the European war was
provided today in the announce
ment that italian passenger liners
would resume their sailings in few
days.
The announcement was made
even as predictions were heard freely
that 1taly'S neutrality would be
short-lived
Foreign Minister Count Galeazzo
Ciano was understood to have given
assurances to American Ambassador
William Phillips, who called at the
foreign ministry this morning, that
Italian ships would start their
schedules again.
Ciano said liners which had been
held in their home ports for the
last week intended to depart within
two or three days.
This was considered in foreign
circles a sign that Italy not only
intended to stay out of hostilities
but expected that France and Great
Britain would continue to maintain
normal relations with her in spite
of her, military alliance with Ger
many
Ambassador Phillips saw Ciano for
a general survey of the situation,
to obtain an impression of Italys
course of action and to learn what
could be done toward evacuating
Americans still in Italy
Duce Keeps Course to Himself.
Meanwhile, Premier Mussolini
kept to himself the position he has
chosen, and the British and French
governments were expected to ask
within a few days for a precise
statement of Italys intentions.
Although many observers thought
Italy might try to remain neutral
because of what they considered the
reluctance of Italians to fight for
Germany, Premier Mussolini's Milan
newspaper, II Popolo D'Italia gave
little encouragement to that idea.
The newspaper declared nothing had
been changed in the Italian German
friendship, which only last May %
was marked by the signing of mill
tary pact.
Some Italians said they believed
II Duce might make further efforts
to arrange a Settlement-Such as
the conference of interested powers
he was seeking when Britain and
France went to war with Germany
but there was nothing in official
circles to indicate such likelihood.
There were those who felt that,
Mussolini's proposal having failed,
he would be too realistic to attempt
further to mediate.
May Wait to See How Wind Blows.
Italians watched closely for the
first reports of French and British
military action and said II Duce
would have to make his decision for
or against participation in the war
in a few days.
There were many who said British
and French armies would be unable
to reach Germany across her west
ern Notifications, the Siegfried Line
"a view widely expressed in the
Fascist press. The Germans, they
reasoned, after crushing Poland,
would be able to turn and crush
their British-French foes.
Yet many Italians feared they
would be brought into the conflict
by request for aid from Adolf Hit
. ler-a call which they said their
government might have to answer
under the military alliance with
Germany.
Hopes in some foreign circles that
Mussolini would turn his back on
Hitler and aid Britain and France
with outright neutrality were not
very bright.
Concerning Mussolinis reply to
any inquiry from Britain and France
as to his intentions, certain diplo-
mats suggested the premier prob
ably would refrain from answering
until he saw how the war was
going
There was speculation as to what
Britain and France might do. if
Italy passed war supplies to Ger
many through her ports under
form of benevolent neutrality re-
ported in official circles but not yet
fully declared.