Evening star., 1939-08-25
Italy Calls 100000
More Men, Increasing
Army 10 100000
Naval and Air Ranks
Are Reported Almost
Completely Filled
BY the Associated Press.


ROME, Aug 25-Two classes Of
Italian reservists were called to the
colors today, bringing those under
arms to a total OF six classes.
The classes called today were COM
posed of those men born in 1903
and 1913 They were unofficially
estimated to add about 500 900 men
to the 1900, 900 already under arms.
1t was unofdcially announced that
the naval and air ranks of Italy's
fighting machine had been almost
completely filled" since August 81.
In addition to the six army classes,
IS battalions of militiamen have
been called up, as well as spe-
cialists of other army classes.
Premier Mussolini made a brief
appearance on the balcony of his
Palazzo Venezia to acknowledge the
cheers Of crowd this morning, but
refrained from speaking to delega-
tions of Italian school teachers and
Albanians who had come for a
glimpse of him.
His silence has been interpreted
in foreign circles as indicating a
desire to avoid any sabre rafting
that might make the situation
worse.
Italian newspapers have shown
unusual moderation in their refer
ences to France, at whom they rallied
only recently for failure to heed
Italy's claims for privileges in the
Tunisia, the Suez Canal and Jibuti.
Italian Liner Held.
The Italian liner Saturnia with a
sailing list of $50 Americans was
held at Trieste, after postponing its
sailing yesterday, as did the Conte
Di Savoia and the Augustus at
Genoa.
Some of the Saturnias American
passengers took trains from Trieste
for France in the hope of leaving
French ports on other ships.
Tourists focked to the American
consulate in Rome, seeking advice.
They were advised to start for home
If they had nothing to keep them
in Italy.
Italians today criticized President
Roosevelt's peace message as an
attempt to throw responsibility for
the European crisis on Germany and
Italy.
Virginio Gayda, who usually
writes with official approval said in
II Giornale DItalia the messages
were renewal of the maneuvers
of last April" when the President
asked Adolf Hitler and Benito Mus
solini if they were willing to guar
antee other countries against
aggression.
They should have been addressed,
If ever, to all the countries of
Europe" Gayda wrote.
Premier Mussolini failed to give
any indication of what consideration
ne might give to President Roose-
velt's suggestion that Italy advance
proposals to avert war in Europe.
King Victor Emmanuel told AM
bassador William Phillips, who de-
hvered the Presidents message yes
terday at the royal fishing camp
near the French frontier. tnat he
would refer it at once to his govern
ment
The King asked Mr.. Phillips to
thank the President cordially for the
message. which was conveyed orally
to his majesty.
Had Friendly Talk With King.
The message to the King was de-
scribed in authoritative circles as a
sort of counterpart of message,
which the President sent to Adolf
Hitler Of Germany and President
1gnace Moscicki of Poland.
Ambassador Phillips. who returned
to his desk this morning from Turin.
said he had friendly talk of about
half an hour with the King.
The monarch met Mr.. Phillips In
front Of the cluster of small houses
making up his simple rustic camp in
a wild valley at Santana di VAL
dieri, the last village on the road
from Turin to the French frontier.
American circles expressed the be-
lief that nobody in Italy. including
Premier Mussolini, wanted war.
Fascist newspapers told of the
danger Of war, but there were still
few outward signs that Italy ex-
pected to be involved.
All papers appeared with streamer
headlines asserting that Polish
troops surround Danzig," based on
information supplied by the official
German news agency