Evening star., 1940-12-29
Churchill's Message to Italians
Timed for Strategic Reaction
Observer Suggests Good Will Appeals in Peacetime;
Thinks Surprise Broadcast to Japan by
Hull Would Be Worth While.
By Feix Morley.


part of Mussolini, and whether or not
Hitler encouraged or endeavored to pre-
vent the attack. What we do know is
that Greece has valiantly refused to be
the victim of aggression. That little
country, aided by Britain, has curbed the
Italian dictator, thereby revealing the
weakness of the country which supports
him. And if Mussolini could not per-
suade Hitler to let him seize French ter
ritOTy before the Greek fiascO' his chances
of doing so now are certainly not I'M
There is no move on the b1ood-stained
chessboard Of Europe which is uncon-
nected with the situation in other
squares. None of the recent maneuver-
ing at Vichy can safely be analyzed with
out consideration of the italian picture.
Food for Thought.
Speculation about the dismissal OF
Laval should at least include considera-
ton of the fact that his strongly pro-
Italian attitude is, as a result of Italy's
defeats no longer an important asset for
Marshal Petain. Speculation about the
subsequent visit to Vichy of Herr Abetz
should similarly consider whether 1t
would not have been logical for Hitler's
agent to assure the aged marshal that
France has nothing to fear from Italy
now.
In any event, the waning star Of
Mussolini should serve to draw at
tention to the enormous Importance
of this decline to Franco-German re-
lations. If they are cemented by Italy's
troubles, that will prove of more perma-
nent import than anything happening
in the sands of Libya or the mountains
of Albania. 1t is well that Admiral
Leahy, our new Ambassador to France,
is today about to reach his post.
Winston Churchill's broadcast certainly
would not have been delivered unless
the British Prime Minister had reasoned
from available information that italian
disintegration might thereby be hastened.
If useful for the end Of destroying the
unity of a belligerent nation, why should
not the radio be employed more effec-
lively for the purpose of strengthening
the ties of friendship between nations
which are at peace?
1t seems natural now that the British
Prime Minister should broadcast an
appeal to the italian people to revolt
against their dictator. But 1t would have
seemed revolutionary, 10 years ago, if a
British or French or American states
man had assured the German people in
a similar surprise message that they
could rely on tangible sympathy and
support if only they would preserve the
democratic way of life.
Appeals for Peace.
Last Monday night Mr. Churchill IN
formed the italian people that even
though they years ago accepted
totalitarian system, I'VE could still walk
together in peace and good will" But
in the dark days of the depression. when
German democracy was being under
mined by the Nazis. nobody in authority
in Great Britain took the trouble to give
assurances of solidarity to German
liberalism. And Mr.. Churchiu's current
reference to the Germans as "the
barbarous Huns" indicates that he, at
least, would not have considered such
course.
And yet it would be rational to have
such constructive broadcastS, breathing
of friendship and good will, in advance
of rather than after the outbreak Of war.
1t would be rational to Use the radio to
strengthen liberal elements in time of
peace as well as to employ the device
to overthrow relationships against which
democracy had dr1fted to war. Indeed, it
might even be worthwhile for our patient
and far-sighted Secretary of State to
send such a surprise broadcast to Japan.
There seems no good reason why such
inventions as the radio and the airplane
cannot be used for strengthening peace
as well as for prosecuting war And with
the next effort to form a stable inter-
national society, in which the United
States will surely join, little more
consideration given to broadcasts of
friendship would do lot to obviate any
need for later references to ''barbarous
Huns"