Evening star., 1940-12-24

dramatically timed invitation to quit
following Mussolini.
Other circles pointed out that the
deeply religious Italian people might
be in mood to listen to Mr.. Churchill
at the Christmas season.
Blame Placed on Zone Man."
1t has been reported that the
Italian people do not have their
hearts in the war and are sad
dened by war losses and severe
economic conditions.
Further, since the Albanian re-
verses in Albania and Africa, both
official and unofficial reports have
quoted italian prisoners as saying
they did not want to go to war.
Mr.. Churchill placed the blame
for the war on "one man."
"One man and one man alone
has ranged the Italian people in
deadly struggle against the Brit
ish Empire and has deprived Italy
of the sympathy and intimacy of
the United States of America. That
he is great man I do not deny, but
that after 18 years of unbridled
power he has led your country to
the horrid verge of ruin can be
denied by none.
ut is all one man who, against
the crown and royal family of
Italy, against the Pope and all the
authority of the Vatican and of the
Roman Catholic Church, against
the wishes of the italian people,
who had no lust for this war, has
arrayed the trustees and inheritors
of ancient Rome upon the side of
the ferocious pagan barbarians.
There lies the tragedy of italian
history and there stands the criminal
who has wrought the deed of folly
and of shame"
1t was pointed out authoritatively
in this connection, that Mr. Churchill
attacked Mussolini alone at an hour
when the German Luftwaffe was
increasing its threat to Britain,
Nazi submarines we're intensifying
their campaign and an invasion was
possible.
"Or Else" Warning.
Some circles borrowed an Amer
lean phrase and said the speech was
an cor else" warning uttered in con-
fldence that Britain would be able
to implement it to the full.
Mr.. Churchill couched his three
fold appeal in these terms:
"One man and one man alone
ordered italian soldiers to ravage
their neighbor's vineyard. The time
has come when the Italian monarchy
and people who guard the sacred
center of Christendom should have
word to say upon these awe-inspir.
ing issues.
surely the Italian Army, who has
fought so bravely on many occasions
in the past, but now evidently ha.
no heart for the job, should take
some care of the life and future o1
Italy,"
Recalling that Italy and Britain
had never been foes until now ane
were allies in the last war against
Germany, Mr.. Churchill said thai
although the institutions you adopt.
ed after that war we're not akin tt
ours and diverged we likee
each other, we got along together
And now we are at war; now WI
are condemned to work each other
ruin; your aviators have tried tt
cast their bombs upon London; oul
armies are tearing and will tear YOU
African empire to shreds ane
tatters."
The italians, first to hear th'
broadcast tn the regular B. B. c
propaganda program, didn't know i
was coming. The B. B. G. was re-
ported to have held off advertising
the broadcast for fear Italian OH
cials would attempt to jam 1t.
A B. B. C. spokesman said tn
Italian translation would 60 out fiv'
times before noon today. He salt
British broadcasts were consideret
to have a big audience in Italy an,
that after the first broadcast a
7:30 pm. today word would &c
around and by the time Of the f1ftl
translation Of Mr.. Churchill's mes
sage would have reached a larg'
portion OF the italian people.
The Prime Minister'S direct broad
cast to the English-speaking work.
| went out at 8 pm. e pm. Eastern