Evening star., 1940-12-29

WulotOil SIlulCllAu O1OhQCdot " IAiC
Italian people last Monday night was
timed as carefully as it was worded.
1t was delivered, to begin with, at
moment when those to whom the mes
sage was directed were already deeply
uneasy because of the recent setbacks
to Italian arms
1t was carried over the Christmas air.
waves to a people who are naturally
gentle and peace-lodng, and VINO az
this season in particular find their re-
hgious faith strongly at variance with
the aggressive policy of their govern
ment.
And, finally, the message of the British
what everybody in an uncomfortable sit
uation likes to hear: That his predica-
ment is in no way due to his own weak
ness and blunders but rather to the
rapacity and folly of another--in this
case the madness of a single criminal"
whom Mr.. Churchill did not hesitate to
name.
The effect of this blistering radio often
sive will be analyzed with the closest
care in every capital. If the Italian
armies continue to retreat If the Fascist
feet clings timidly to it's harbors and if
repressive measures accumulate at home
then one could feel certain. that Mr.
Churchills broadcast had been effective
as dissolvent of morale.
And then certain conclusions of the
most far-reaching importance would be
in order.
Italian Debacle Aids Nazis.
This is not to suggest that breakup
in Italy, even If that should prove to be
miraculously at hand, would of itself win
the war. Up to point indeed, Ger
many is actually strengthened by the
weakening of the southern member of
the axis partnership.
This anomalous situation is a result
of the collapse of France. Mussolini,
fully conscious of his country's vulnera-
bility, carefully refrained from hostilities
until the defeat of France was imminent.
His much-heralded Corsica,
Tunisia, Nice and Savoy-were all to be
gained at French expense. BY entering
convinced that Germany had won,; II
Duce figured on gaining the spoils of
victory at little or no cost.
The heroism of the British defense,
now turned into hard-hitting offensive
so far as Italy is concerned, has COM
pletely upset these calculations. Instead
of winning new empire, Italy is threat
ened, in Mr.. Churchill's expressive words,
with having that which it possesses torn
ito shreds and tatters." The phrase is
given additional force by Gen. Grazianis
extremely frank report on his defeat in
the Egyptian desert, attributing this to
mechanical deficiencies which Italy will
henceforth find it the more difficult to
make good
The net result of this defeat, plus that
administered by Greece with British aid,
is to make the Italian claims for French
territory seem preposterous, even In
Italian eyes. If Mussolini's troops can
not withstand the Greeks in Albania,
what expectation is there that they
France of Nice and Savoy? Such an
nexation could be accomplished and
maintained only with continuing Ger
man aid.
There is every reason to suppose that
this German aid will not be given 1t is
not in the German interest to have an
enlarged and powerful Italy exercising
dominant influence in Southern Europe.
1t is in the German interest to have
France, humbled and chastened from the
NaZ viewpoint, as a friend. In conse-
quence it must be assumed that Italy's
present difficulties are causing little con-
Germ, perhaps even some carefully con-
cealed pleasure, in Berlin.
After all, as Churchill himself points
out, the German high command well
knows that at any desired moment it can
take as much of Northern Italy as stra-
tegic requirements render advisable.
II Duce's Move a Mystery.
One of the mysteries of this war which
will most intrigue future historians is
why Mussolini, just two months ago,
launched his Inflated attack on Greece.
For Italy that iu-judged action has
proved a definite turning point, not the
less so because of II Duce's petulant out
burst to the Fascist party leaders on No.
vember 1S: With absolute certainty I
tell you we shall break the back of
Greece. Whether in or IL months it
little matters. English aid cannot
prevent accomplishment of this
1t will be long before the world knows
the exact reasons for this mistake on the