Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-07-30
Interim ItuIy

~Ai'AA0uSA aAAAOSC Week mas now
passed since Mussolini's sudden fall
from the pinnacle of dictatorship,
the course of events in Italy remains
obscure to the outer world. A host of
rumors, usually sensational and often
f1atly contradictory, beclouds rather
than clarifies our understanding.
Yet few facts stand forth as in
controvertibly true. The first of these
is that not only Mussolini but also
the Fascist hierarchy and organiza-
ton are being Systematically liqui-
dated. The second fact is that this
liquidation is being accomplished in
orderly fashion by the military die
tatorship headed by General Badoglio
under the authority of King Victor
Emmanuel. The rapid series of dras-
tic DEGREES issued by the General
against every phase of the Fascist
regime proves that this is no mere
camouf1age. And it is equally certain
that what Is being done has unquali-
AiSN PoPuloi dPPioFdl. LAG NOlAC
radio, in its first detailed exposition
Of Italy'S new situation Is correct In
stating: Italy has found it neces-
sary to rid herself of political sys-
tenn that she found harmful to the
nation. This political system has been
done away with. Fascism in Italy Is
over! Forever!"
Thus far, the Badoglio regime has
the solid approval Of the Italian
people-and, for that matter, the
approval of America and Britain as
we'll. But this unanimity promptly
ends with Radio Rome's second
premise that, there remains but one
thing for Italy to do-continue to
fight for liberty and honor and
all the Italian people realize that the
most urgent and necessary matter
to attend to is to fight their foreign
enemies" Even If we discount, as
exaggerated. reports of peace DEM
onstrations and riots in various parts
of Italy, the entire weight of evidence
shows that the bulk OF the Italian
people never had their hearts in this
war, and would be glad to be out of
it on any terms which would give
promise of fair treatment by the Al
lies and reasonable hope for their
national future.
This is doubtless as we'll known to
the King and Badoglio as it is to us.
Why, then. does Badoglio take so
martial tone? Is 1t an attempt to
wriggle out of the war itself into a
sideline neutrality? If so, it is bound
to fail. because the Allies are deter
mined on disarming Italy and using
her as a base for further warfare
against Germany. But Badoglio may
likewise be maintaining temporary
belligerency to consolidate his posi-
ton at home and deal with the very
present menace Of the Germans
within Italy. II that be his immediate
objective. there is no reason why his
regime should not function as the
medium whereby Italy shall be ex-
tricated from its present tragic
dilemma and ultimately find peace
on sensible basis.
General Eisenhower, the Allied
commander in the campaign against
Italy, has taken long step toward
rendering this possible by his broad
cast yesterday to the Italian people,
who were told that the continued
presence of German troops on Italian
soil is the only remaining obstacle to
an immediate and honorable peace.
Commencing the Italian people and
the House of Savoy" for Kidding
themselves of Mussolin; and the
Fascist regime, which removed the
greatest obstacle that had stood be-
tween Italy and the United Nations,
General Eisenhower went on to say
that your part is to cease imme-
diately any assistance to German
military forces in your country. If
you do this. we will rid you of the
Germans" He then made the allur-
ing promise that if Allied prisoners
now in Italian hands were not sent
to Germany but restored to the Allies,
the hundreds Of thousands of Italian
prisoners would be returned to their
homes.
This message from one empowered
with plenary authority to deal with
peace offers should have a strong
appeal to the war-weary and dis
illusioned Italian masses. The psy-
Geological effect may be. very great.
Mnnninn &ha SL:.