The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-29
Patterson s Wor Report

Washington, July 29-(UP)-Act- ing Secretary of War Robert P. Pat terson declared today that no formal or informal peace overtures have been made to the Allies by the new Italian regime, so far as is known here.
 Until the Italians offer to surren- der, the Allies will continue to press the war on Italy with all the vigor with which we are capable Pat terson told a press cnoference.
 He said there was no doubt that this policy would accelerate the speed with which the Italians will try to get out of the war.
 But so far, he added, there Is no evidence of diminishing Axis resist ance in northeast Sicily where at least three mobile German divisions and three Italian divisions are hold ing out.
 He said there was evidence that some German achievements had arrived in the past few days.
 Operational reports received today disclosed that the American troops had taken Nicosia and Canadians had captured Agira, northeast of Enna.
 Patterson revealed that Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson has gone from Britain to North Africa. Asked what the secretary is doing there, Patterson replied he is doing his job."
 Talk With Eisenhower
 T dare say he has probably had some talks with Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower" Patterson remarked. He also is greatly interested in sec ing the soldiers themselves. He mas probably seen a lot of soldiers"
 Concerning the Sicilian campaign, Patterson pointed out that the U. s. 7th Army is now moving eastward along the northern coast threaten ing to outfank the enemy in north ern Sicily. He warned that the enemy is defending difficult coun- try and holds strong positions in the mountains.
 However, he said, "it Is evident the battle of Sicily has entered its final phase and the conquest of that island should be completed in a short time,-not more than a matter of days"
 Patterson observed that the fall Of Premier Benito Mussolini had over shadowed military developments in the past week. Little information is available here regarding the fast moving political developments, but Patterson said the adverse military situation must have been the prime factor in forcing the elimination of Fascism in Italy.
 Fascism Trappings Go
 He said the outward trapplngs o1 Fascism were fast disappearing and it vas clear the people were greatly heartened by the change which DOT tended peace. However, he said, 1t remained to be seen whether the tenets of Fascism were abandoned
 as fast as the symbols.
 Patterson expressed the opinion that the Germans have already dis counted the support of Italian forces which they are in imminent danger of losing. Italy offers one road into the heart of Europe.
 He noted reports indicate that the Germans are attempting to fortify the Pc river area in an effort to close that road.
 One of the important military contributions of Italy to the Axis was the garrisoning of captured coun- tries, Patterson continued.
 If Italy withdraws from the war the garrisoning of those countries will constitute an important prob lem" he said. Hitler will have scrape up replacements for the 1tal- ian garrisons."
 News is good from all the fighting fronts, Patterson said. However, he warned against excessive optimism and recalled that Prime Minister Winston Churchill estimated the Italians represented only about 10 per cent of the total Axis strength in Europe.
 He said that just as in the boxing ring, where 1t is good tactics to step up action to get the opponent groggy, so the war must be prose- cuted with increasing vigor now, on the home front as well as on battle grounds.
 Germany is still strong in men and material resources" he said. If Italy surrenders, it will mean only the first phase of our European campaign is over.'