Evening star., 1940-05-21
Nation Awaits Only
Order Of the Day.
Ciano Declares
Welcome to japanese
Launches New Outbursts
Against French, British
BY tho Associates Press.

By the Associated PreSS.2 ~
ROME, May 21.-Italy, Germanys
acknowledgement ally, appeared today
to be preparing to enter the war
as she. ordered blackouts and air
raid drills, in her chief industrial
areas for three-day test beginning
tonight. 80
Speeches Of Foreign Minister
Count Galeazzo Ciano in Milan and
Cremona, in which he said that
Italy awaits only "the order of the
day." from Premier Mussolini when
he will have decided upon IT," in
creased the feeling among Italians
that they might be called shortly to
Tight on one Of their frontiers.
Diplomatic circles. attached sig
nif1cance to an article by Giovanni
Ansaldo, editor of Count Ciano's
newspaper II Telegyafo, asserting
"the hour is near when Our influence
on the course Of events must be
more active" -
When Italy does move, he added,
one Of its objectives will be terri
torial increases" ....
He declared that, although Britain
and France undoubtedly would re-
act differently now to italian claims
than they did 18 months ago, it
would be ''too late"
Telephone connections between
Rome and London, meanwhile, re-
manned suspended.
First Drills Since September.
The possibility of Italy's entrance
into the conflict in the immediate
future was indicated further by the
afraid drills, which were the first
ordered since the opening days of
the war last September.
The drills were ordered for Rome
Province, Terni, As miles northeast,
where great arms and munitions
factories are operating at top speed;
Milan, Turin and Genoa.
The drills we're to test anti-air-
craft guns and to give Italians an
other taste of what to expect when
the nation goes after its so-called
Aspirations"
Fascists were ready to patrol the
streets and to see that pedestrians
take shelter when sirens screech
warnings of pretended raids.
Anti-aircraft batteries were un-
covered on the roofs to fire" at sky
invaders who might be expected to
swoop in mock raids at any time
during the next three days.
Along with these preparations for
war there continued demonstrations
against Britain and France which
brought out troops and carabinieri.
A shouting group of young Italians
marched toward the British Con-
sulate, but was held back by he'll
meted soldiers who appeared sud-
denly on the scene.
For time early today solid ranks
OF troops and carabinieri stillewere.
massed on the streets around the
French and British Embassies and
the British Consulate..s ~
Were Welcoming japanese.
The demonstration began as 4
friendly welcome to Japanese dele
cation which arrived on a combined
good will and trade agreement mis-
sion. A group of about 1000 youths,
waving Japanese and italian flags,
suddenly changed the character of
their demonstration by shouting
"Down with France!" The crowd
then headed for the embassies and
the: consulate.
With Italians feeling that they
were about to be called into war,
the questions of when and how re-
manned. Many wondered simply
whether the call would come within
q week, fortnight or later.
Premier Mussolini had reports
from Marshal Pietro Badoglio on
troops posted along the frontier.
Earlier II Duce received a report on
the Littorio Line of Notifications in
the north, which he had ordered
strengthened further.
Whether an Italian move might
come on the French frontier or on
the eastern borders facing the
Balkans, should italy join Germany,
was a secret.
Nothing developed to indicate
whether general mobilization was
imminent, but military experts said
that the closing of schools on May
81, two weeks earlier than usual
would make buildings available for
temporary barracks if needed.