Evening star., 1943-07-28
Italy Must Surrender Quickly
Or Face Destruction by Allies
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
The Italian people will be given a
chance, after hearing what Presi-
dent Roosevelt has to say, to tell
their government whether they
want peace with the Allies or want
to see their country destroyed by
the Allied air and ground forces
which are now poised for a grand
scale invasion of Italy. The views
which Mr. Roosevelt will make pub
lie shortly are Endorsed by Prime
Minister Winston Churchill.
The fundamental principles set at
Casablanca for dealing with our
enemies-unconditional surrender
must stand. But within the frame
work of this Roman peace" the
Italians will discover a good many
advantages if, following the ex-
pulsion of Fascism, they are willing
to submit themselves to the sense
Of justice of the Allies.
While our armed forces are ready
to cross into Italy as soon as the
Sicllian campaign is over, it is sin
cerely hoped in responsible quarters
in Washington that the new Italian
government, if it is truly repre-
sentative of the Italian people, will
approach the Allies with proposal
that Italy lay down its arms.
Peace Suggestions Expected.
1t is believed here. on the basis
of reliable information. that Marshal
Badoglio intends to suggest peace
pourparlers to Washington and to
London. But these are unacceptable
Complete surrender must precede
any future conversations The final
peace terms will be harsh or mild
according to the behavior Of the
Italian government. If it delays
and attempts to bargain while hun
dreds of American and British lives
are being lost without any reason
on the battlefelds of Sicily or in
Southern Italy, the good intentions
of the Allied governments may be
frustrated and much harsher peace
conditions will be imposed on the
Italians
If. on the other hand. the present
Italian government realizes that it
would be foolish to continue in Mus
solini's footsteps, and accepts un-
conditional but not dishonorable
surrender. Italy will some out of
this war far better than its people
dared hope few months ago.
There is no bitter feeling against
the Italians either in Washington or
in London. Both governments were
determined to fight to the end to
destroy Fascism. as they determined
to destroy Naziism. But since it ap-
pears that the Italian people them
selves have gotten rid of Mussolinl
and his gang, all that the United
Nations want now is to see the
Italian armies disbanded and the
people go back to work.
Italian Stand Unclear.
For the time being Washington
has not been able to form a clear
opinion AS to wnat King Victor EN-
| manuel and the new government
headed by Marshal Badoglio repre-
sent. From past reports it would
seem that they are no more in favor
of Facism than the United States.
The Italian King and his family
have been showed into the back
ground and have been humiliated
frequently by the Fascists, while
Badoglio, although an honorary
member of the Fascist party, is
known by those who are in close
touch with Italian affairs to be
strongly royalist and anti-Fascist
But as things stand now we are
compelled to consider Victor EN-
manuel and Badoglio as the enemies
OF this country since they have not
vet offered, to surrender and since
Italian troops in Sicily are continu-
ing to oppose the Allies.
The Italian government has been
attempting to ascertain what peace
terms 1t might obtain from this
Government from the day Mussolini
and his associates were dismissed
But they have been hedging and
have made no direct approaches
either to Washington or to London
1t has been kept in ignorance on
determination of the United Ma
tions to liquidate the totalitarian
regimes in Germany and in Italy
Consequently it seems to be under
the impression that it still has a
bargaining power while approx
mately 40 Italian divisions. well
equipped but without any fight left
in them. form an army.
Defiance Will Be Fatal.
This belief. if the Italian govern
ment places too much reliance on its
army AS a bargaining instrument
will soon disappear. President
Roosevelt. who cannot talk to the
italian government but can address
the people of Italy directly. will
make it clear that we do not Intend
to bargain with our enemies. But al
the same time the Italian people
will realize that our enemies of to-
day may become our friends of to.
morrow If they show that We are
right in believing that they have
been the victims of the creates,
political cheating game known ir
history.
Although Marshal Badoglio ap-
pears to have adopted mailed fist
policy In handling the internal
situation by ordering a strict GEN.
sorship, forbidding all public gath.
erings and other drastic measures
the impression here is that these
are more for show and are intended