The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-07-18
C1ANO'S DIARY
Nav 4-July FL, 1912.

Tn an upsurge of optimism after
tho German break-throEgh in North
Africa in June, 1912, the Axis drew
I'M complete plans for the govern
ment of Egypt under Nazi Field
Marshal Rommel and an Italian
civil admin. strator, according to
the diary of Count Ciano, Musso-
lini's son-in-law.
II Duce flew to Africa to take
nart in the triumphal entry into
Cairo. He fused and fumed for
three weeks after Ron1mePs drive
begged down at Ell Alamein, then
returned to Rome in a towering
rage that he had again been made
ridiculous. He left his personal bag
gage so he could go back to Africa
quickly if the picture changed.
Aside from the continuing scan
dals surrounding the family of
Mussolini's mistress, the nome
front was most notable for pro-
posal that honest tax returns SHOULD
be filed. Ciano and others were
genuinely Mortified at the sugges-
ton.
C::ano wrote:
MAY Al receive Bose, head
of the Hindu nationalists. He feels
badly when he learns that the dec
laration in favor of independence
for India has been postponed ION
German insistence). He believes we
are playing the game of Japan,
which will act on it's own. without
considering the interests of the
Axis"
MAY 5-"The British have oc.
cupied Madagascar French island
off the east coast OF Africa). It
was to be expected, since Laval
French vice-premier) had an
nornced to the four winds that he
hoped the Japanese would arrive
before the Anglo-Saxons.
Il have dissuaded the Holy See
from taking the initiative (for a
compromise peace) that would
surely fail"
HUNGARIAN
MERRY-GO-ROUND
MAY 11-"Hungarian uneasiness
is expressed by little story that
circulates in Budapest. The minis
ter of Hungary declares war on
the United States, but the attache
who receives the communication is
not up-to-date on European affairs.
He asks:
8 is Hungary a republic?' NO,
it is a kingdom
Then do you have king?'
No, we have an admiral.
6 Then do you have a fleet?'
NO, we have no sea-
Then do you have any claims?'
Yes
L" Against American MOI
" Against Britain? NO
Against Russia? NO.
Against whom, then, do you
have these claims?' Against Ro-
mania
Then will you declare war
against Romania?" No. We are
allies
MAY 12-"Rommel will attack
in Libya at the end of the month
with the aim of crush ,ng the Brit
ish forces. (The attack began May
26) If he can, he will take To-
bruk, and will go as far as the
old boundaries. If not, he will
limit himself to forestalling an at
tack by the enemy by stricking
first. All the forces will be con-
centrated then for an attack on
Malta. The Germans are sending
a parachute division"
SARDINIA DEFENSES
ARE 'REASSURING'
| MAY 16 "Mussolini returns
(from Sardinia). His visit has
produced some assurance even
about the islands defanses. There
are good troops, efficient arma-
ments, and malaria in the inva-
sion zones sufficient to decimate
British troops within a few days. :"
MAY 18-"I Duce telephones me
to tell Edda (Cano's wife and
Mussolini's daughter) not to talk
with anyone, absolutely no one,
about what she saw in Germany
The explanations: The King told
Mussolini that all Rome knows that
there is an Italian laborer in a
German hospital with his fingers
cut off, and that Edda has protest
ed energetically to Hitler "
MAY 19-''The British would like
to send some hospital ships to Nal.
ia. Our navy agrees in principle,
but the Germans are against it.
II Duce decides against it because
experience shows that many
things may be hidden in hospital
ships. Last winter we were able to
bring some needed supplies of gas
oline to Benghasi by using the white
ships "
ITALIANS REPORT
| ON AMERICA
MAY 21.-'I speak with Colonna
Qtaian ambassador to the United
States), and with some attaches
who have returned from Washing
ton. They all agree: First, that
the United States is in no position
today to do much along military