Evening star., 1940-05-25
Many Foreigners
Quietly Prepare
1oleave Country
Additional Glasses
Of Reserves Are
Called to CoIors
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
ROME, May 25.-GeRed for war,
her entire resources subject to con-
scription under new civil mobiliza-
tion order, Italy is ready today for
Premier Mussolini to say the word
that could plunge her into the Eu-
ropean conflict as an ally of Ger
many.
All signs indicated the word might
not be far away. Among the
ominous indications, topped by pas
sage. of the civil mobilization decree,
were:
l. reports that additional
classes of army and naval re-
serves had been called to the
colors.
2. Postponement of the sailings
of three big trans s-Atlantic liners
which might possibly serve as
troop transports.
3. Intensified blackout prepara-
tions.
4. Rumors that II Duce had re-
jected Allied concessions-includ
ing relaxation of the Mediter-
ranean blockade-offered in the
hope of keeping Italy on the side
lines.
S. increasingly bitter press at
tacks on the Allies and new anti
Allied street demonstrations.
Foreigners Prepare to Leave.
Many foreigners, including Eng
lish residents, quietly prepared to
leave the country. Those who had
booked passage on Italian vessels
now tied to their docks hastened to
transfer their passage to American
vessels.
The new civil mobilization decree
was hastily rushed through the Sen
ate last night, full week ahead of
schedule. The measure, which can
be invoked at a moments notice,
gives the government power to
mobilize all citizens over the age of
IA and requisition the services of
private capital, industry, labor
groups and transportation systems.
1t authorizes the government to
regulate consumption of all ma
terials, limit or ban exports and i'm
ports, and sets up machinery for dis
tributing food and other necessities.
Complaints about the treatment
OF Italians in French Morocco were
published in the italian press, fan
ming the flames of dislike for the
French and the British.
Subjected to Insults.
Persons speaking English in pub
lie places were subjected to un-
friendly startes and in some cases
insults by youthful Italians.
The three transatlantic liners
whose departures were postponed
were the Rex. Augustus and Nep-
tunia. New dates for sailings were
set, and officials said the postpone
ments were merely a matter of
routine. but the action was regarded
in foreign CIRCLES as highly signifl-
cant.
The Rex and Augustus, originally
scheduled to sail from Genoa and
Trieste on May % and May 81, re-
spectively, now are booked for de-
parture June 6.
The Neptunia, which was to have
left Genoa June l for South Amer
ica. is now listed to 60 June 2l.
Foreigners studied with misgivings
the reports that Premier Mussolini
had rejected Allied overtures on the
ground they we're made too late"
French Overtures.
These overtures were said to have
included French offers of special
rights in Tunisia, credit facilities at
the Suez Canal and free port privi-
leges at Jibuti, French Somaliland,
only rail outlet to Italy's Ethiopian
empire.
Pep messages flowed back and
forth between Italian officials prais-
ing the morale of the nations armed
forces.
Marshal Pierto Badoglio, chief of
the general staff, wired Crown
Prince Umberto best wishes for the
infantry, of which the latter is in
spector general, calling this branch
IAN ever more powerful instrument
of victory for the imperial father
land"
Gen. Ubaldo, undersecretary for
war, sent the crown prince similar
message.