Evening star., 1940-06-10
MUSSOL|N| DECLARES WAR ON ALLIES:
ITALIANS INVADE FRANCE BERLIN SAYS
British Land More Troops in France as Nu Pncers qhten on Paris
Joins Reich to Regain Control
OfMediterroneon, Duce States;
Attack Is Begun Along Riviera

Attack Is Begun A|o
Mt aticn the tonight at e
periously France and Paris itself.
dtalan forces marched into French territory
through the Riviera at approximately $50 o'clock
tonight Q1:30 am. E. S. T), it was declared in
Berlin
(Ths information given reporters by au-
thorized conference at the Berlin Foreign
Office called by Foreign Minister Joachim Rib
bentrop.
Information concerning the Italian invasion of
France was given out before statement by Won
(The Foreign Minister declared all Germany was
filled with jubilant enthusiasm Ialys interven-
on and said Naz @ and fq forces @ Toud fight @
France are ready to respect the vital rights OF both
teetering the brink, made in wildly cheered,
bobasc speech by Premier Mussoni from the balcony
His announced aims called chiefly for recovered
control of the Mediterranean.
He declared for preservation OF IN the Balkans and
in Turkey Egypt all factors in Mediterranean
Our will, he said, lis that Italy does not intend to
bring other people into the conflict.
"Yougoslavia Greece Turkey and Egypt will take notice
of this fact He also mentioned Switzerland in this
Fight Against Reactionary Democracies.
Speaking from the balcony to Fascist Backshirts
crowded by the thousands in the below and in other
squares throughout the kingdom where oudspeakers
declared ~ ' ''' '@''~'' ''''''' "'| ''''''''
"We descending battlefelds against putocratic
reactionary democracies"
Where Italy would strike it's first blow he did not say
but long has been said that the first act
of would be a surprise sprung probably before the
actual declaration of war.
Italys declaration Of war; Mussolini said had been
handed to the Ambassadors of France and England
The French embassy and consular stas today hastily
British diplomats in Rome Immediately disclosed
Premier Mussolin told the Italian nation IAN hour
important in the destiny of Italy begun"
Step Comes After Months of Hesitation
The fateful step was made after weeks-even months
OF hesitation to weld into actual hosttes the ends the
long-existant axis between Berlin and Rome
Before making his definite announcement of war on the
Allies Mussoln called upon combatans on land sea and
in the air. backshrts of the revolution of the legion
men and women OF Italy of the empire and the kingdom
Il wish to declare he said that Italy does not wish
to drag into the conflict other people-neighborng and
friendly people The neutrality of these nations will be
severely respected
He said Italy had tried in vain for peace
After every sentence the gesticulating Premier was
cheered by who long have asked for the
and have menaced Allied nationals lingering in Rome
He declared that THE Allies should have accepted the
proposals Of Hitler before the Polish campaign which began
the last September two days before the deca
ration of open hostlities by the Allies
Qualification of Brenner Pass Meeting.
The declaration by Italy today clears up the verdict
the Brenner Pass highway now linking the common war
interests of Italy and Germany.
great people ready to face its destiny and mark its
history in the FUTURE the premier exhorted his cheer
ing multitudes
eve want to break the chains that suffocate us in the
Mediterranean"
Mussonis aims it long has been known, call for
the recovery of mastery Mare Nostrum the
Italians and this involves the removal of British controls at
Gibraltar and the eastern outlet
Crowd Roars Its Approval.
Mussolni said
"our conscience perfectly tranquil" The crowds in
the piazza roared approval.
"Now ready to face all the risks and sacrifices
of the war;
Again and again he interrupted by of the
populace
"a great people is ready to face it's destiny and mark
It's own history in the future the Premier said
'This gigantic struggle is only phase in the develop
ment of our revolution
'This asserts itself against the stranglers-the rich
nations
"It is struggle between young progressive people
against the decadent people, the struggle of century
as against another century
"The dies cast"
breaking point as he drove
his points home.
I'm memorable meeting Milan declared that
CONTINUED Page Az, Column