The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-26
New Heads
Expected To Send Out
Peace-FeelersVery Soon
By HARRISON SALISBURY
United Press Staff Correspondent

London,
Badoglio new premier of Italy, proclaimed country
wide martial law today and unconhrmed reports cir
culated that ousted Premier Benito Mussollnl had
fled into exile or been arrested by the war
criminal" to be turned to the Allies.
An authoritative source said that Britain was
ready to talk peace terms with the Italian
but there still deep mystery around Badogo's
intentions regarding separate peace as well as
around the fate of the fallen Duce.
The German propaganda line was intended to
convince Europe that the Italians would fight with
the Nazis. Rumors circulating in Stockholm how
ever suggested that the premier at Rome might
desire to make deal with the United Nations and
turn Mussolini over to them for tral he could get
out from under German domination. The runors
lacked any official support.
TRUE POSITION
1t appeared likely that the true position of the
new Italian government would emerge only after con-
siderable d>lay, although expected speech by
Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the next sit
ting of the House of Commons may clarity the out
look.
The outstanding question regarding Italy concerned
the position of armed forces in that country and
of italian troops in the Nazconquered Balkans 1t was
estimated that the Germans have from to nine
divisions POSSIBLY 10000 men) in Italy and Sicily and
been much speculation that the Nazis eventually
would seek to set defense line protecting the northern
industrial area of Italy above the Pc River
No Concrete Evidence
Although Badoglio was known to have opposed the
Nazis as well Fascsts in the past there
crete evidence that he would try to GUST the Germans and
seek peace with the Allies The nearest Rome radio
to limiting at antiGerman stand was the discontinue
of daily lessons in the German language and failure
to broadcast any foreign news emitting even the daily
Nazi conmunique
Badoglo emphasized that the Fascist organization was
being qudated such by removing Blackshrt Guards at
the Swiss border and replacing them with regular military
police but he gave hint to the whereabouts of Musso
n who frequently has been reported thin and gaunt
recently as result of illness.
Stockholm Newspapers
Stockholm newspapers usually center for Axis prop
fee1er 20 information
of definite nature but did produce the usual and
speculation One such rumor that Mussoni had fled
to Switzerland or Germany. No source indicated.
Another and conflicting rumor in Stockholm that
Badogo had arrested Mussolin and other high Fasciss
and that would later to them in negotiations
with the Allies possibly offering to turn the Fascsts over to
the United Nations for trial on "War guilt charges
Madrid reports said that Spanish newspapers pointed
out that Mussonis resignation presumably was due to
illness Madrid also reported that the custer received
with wild joy in occupied Europe especially in France
NIussOlin Ill?
There also speculation that Mussoini might have
sought to himself by negotiations through the
Vatican where his son1-law Count Gaeazzo Ciano has
been ambassador and where the Cano family expected
to take refuge.
The German propaganda line the obvious one.
The Nazi broadcasts took the position that Musson
i'll and that the government change at Rome would have
effect Axis relations and that Italy would fight
with Germany This position was taken by Nazi propa
ganda minister Joseph Goebbes after considerable delay
The japanese boadcasts delayed 6 hours
ing Mussolni's resignation.
Badoglio quickly established drastic military regime
in all of Italy.
Badoglio also ordered dusk-to-dawn curfew and
banned all public meetings in what may have been
to prevent civil between oused Fascist supporters
of the royalist regime.
Signs multiplied that the new government, while seek
ing to maintain senbance Italian resistance in
to strengthen its bargaining position soon will begin feel
ing out the Allies regarding peace terms, presumably
through Pope Plus XII, Turkey, Sweden.
If the Badoglio government does ask for terms,
authoritative British diplomatic commentator said Britain
tcont,nuad on pare A