The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-02-13

against EN- now. Taken separately
they undoubtedly couldn't succeed
at II, but its pointed out that, coll
lectively, they're numerous enough
to De pretty formidable.
It's taken for granted that
France would be soldly Free
French If its people believed they
could Gust the Nazis and keep EN-
ousted.
There also are the Low Coun-
tries, the Balkans and the Scandi-
navias, including Sweden. which
isn't occupied but cant be other
wise than exceedingly apprehensive
as to its future unless Herr Hitlers
stopped effectively.
In the Far East, $4,000, 900 Ko-
reans, annexed by the Japs in 1910
and abominably oppressed ever
since, are said to be fairly spelling
to join the Chinese in a fight for
freedom, at the first prospect OF a
reasonably good show. They're a
stable element in Japan itself. too,
having been drafted thither as
wretched coolie laborers, and ought
to be first-rate fifth columnists in
the United Nations behalf
But to return to the European
field:
Italy Ready. Too
Italy's reckoned 10 be about as
much Germany conquered, and as
resentful Of II. as any OF the small
denlocracies that the NaZis have
overrun.
This isn't necessarily 10 say that
Sigror Mussolini Is in a frame Of
mind TO dissolve his partnership
with Adolf. An Italian severance
Of relations with Germany hardly
could miss involving Benitos local
overthrow, which he wouldn't like.
naturally, though it may be he re-
grets today that ever he tied up
with the Fuehrer.
All indications are that the Ital-
ian masses, though. would break
with the Germans if given a toler-
ably promising opportunity. Their
difficulty is that, should they do so
without strong and prompt back
ing, the Nazis would invade EN-
and trample EN- fiat
Nevertheless, they're about 4o,-
coo 900 strong in man and woman
power. and would be worth having
as democratic allies. besides which
it surely would be demoralizing to
German morale to have EN- cut
loose.
The fact is that the United Ma
tons leadership's attitude toward
the Italians is different from its
attitude toward the Germans and
the Japs
The Germans are blamed for
having scquiesced in Herr Hitler.
TIE Tsps are blamed for being led
~ he nose by their military class,
the Semurai. The Germans like
wise are regarded as barbarians
T--dominantly, though with some
exceptions, and the Japs are as
sessel as inherently treacherous,
as well as mean scrsppers.
The Italians, on the other hand.
are spoken % as moderately chiy-
alrous enemies. They didn't behave
Ike IL IN their war with the Ethi-
oplsns, TO be sure. but that's at
tributed TO their command rather
than 10 their rank and file. Stories
are told Of them as comparatively
decent more recently, perhaps be-
cause is inbred in them or per-
haPs because this Is one Of the
times when they'd prefer not to
fight.
Benito Civilized Once
Even Benito Mussolini used 10
have civilized reputation once
upon a time. He's despised today,
as a Hitlerian tool, Just as Adolf 5
hated.
1 can remember, though, when
he was just an ordinary Milan
rewspaperman, and I've known
Americans who made his scquaint.
snce in that era and described him
as an agreeable personality Ht
slid into power at a juncture wher
/ Italy was In awful economic shap.
and effected considerable improve
ments. Later he developed dicta