Out of the welter of speeches which have heralded the entry of Italy into the war one important fact is noticeable. While: Signor Mussolini, in his address from the balcony of the Palazzo Venezia, endeavoured to set up some sort of moral excuse for a completely indefensible act, his first lieutenant, Count Ciano, comes out with the truth. On Tuesday afternoon he told the French Ambassador to Rome that in declaring war upon the Allies, Signor Mussolini was only carrying out the commitments he had undertaken some time ago. This confession shows Italy ranking as particeps criminis with the arch malefactor, and, while Il Duce endeavours to convince his people of the righteousness of his cause, his Foreign Minister frankly tells the truth to the French envoy. That truth was apparent enough without Count Ciano's confession, for no government by its actions has so clearly told the world that it has entered on this gamble in the belief that it will be successful, and the hope of being able to share in the swag. It is unlikely that Signor Mussolini will be particularly embarrassed by the aux-pas committed by his subordinate, for with a conscience dulled by inordinate ambition, which must be served by the disregard of all conceptions of honour, nothing really matters save victory or defeat. The crime which Signor Mussolini has committed is not only against the Allies, and the universal conception of national honour, but also against the people of Italy, against the youth of the nation which has been deluded by visions of military grandeur. The igniis tatuus of a new Roman empire has been continually held before their eyes, as something comparatively easy to obtain, and under this illusion thousands of fine young men are to march to their deaths in a hopeless sacrifice from which even those who survive will not benefit. Signor Mussolini came to power in Italy when that country was at the lowest ebb of its fortunes, By excellent administration it was led back to the paths of prosperity, moderate though it might be, and was well on the way to much greater heights.
Then, when the future seemed assured, when even Signor Mussolini looked forward to the international trade exhibition, which in 1942 was to mark the resurrection of his country, he demolishes all the good work he has done by plunging his country into the maelstrom of war. It will emerge from it further weighed down by the heavy Joss of the wealth which was accumulating and the economic destruction which the blockade must inevitably bring about. This is all the more horrible, when it is remembered that he is forcing his country to run at the chariot wheel of Herr Hitler, that the Italian armies can be reckoned as nothing but German reinforcements, and that in return for services rendered, he has to depend upon the gratitude of Herr Hitler, a man who knows nothing of the word. If, as it is firmly believed, the Allies emerge from this struggle victorious, no country will have been more grievously betrayed than the Italian. Despite all the flag-waving, and shouting it is well known that the alliance with Germany was unpopular to large masses of the Italian people, and by them entry into the war as something no better than a German conscript will be regarded with no favour whatever. Telegrams to hand state that the Italian Government are already making preparations adequate for the conduct of a long war which lies ahead. They expect a short war, but realize that their expectations stand every chance of being falsified. Should that prove to be the case, what then? A nation impoverished by a war started on the caprice of an ambitious man, set right back into the appalling conditions from which he rescued Italy nearly two decades ago, will have to pass through the throes of revolution from which it is doubtful whether there ever can rise another man to save it. That view is supported by Signor Pantaleoni, former head of the Italian Information Service in New York, who bases his findings on the reaction of the man in the street against Signor Musso-
Iini's declaration.
Italian newspapers in the United States printing an identical leading article written by Signor Generoso Pope, adopt a somewhat similar attitude. "We have always hoped Italy might remain out of the war," Signor Pope wrote, in order to cooperate with the United States in the necessary task of conciliation on the basis of justice for all. This hope has not been fulfilled, and Italy for the first time is at war on a side with which the American people are not in sympathy." The efforts of President Roosevelt to bring about that conciliation were continued up to the very last hour. With him has been working the Pope. It was to no avail, and while it is claimed that no ideological concessions are being made, Italy is drawing closer to Soviet Russia, and following the same tortuous path which Herr Hitler has trod. Thus with not quite the same facility as that of Der Fuehrer, Signor Mussolini is following the road to Canossa, dallying with the enemy of the church of his people, and all in the wild hope that the Rome-Berlin Axis will share the dominance of the whole world. To speak of Signor Mussolini's action as foolish is to des-cribo it in the mildest terms. The only reward he can expect with certainty is defeat at the hands of the Allies, while at the very best all he can expect from a victorious Germany will be to see his country reduced to the position of a satrapy of Berlin. There-will be no such thing as an independent Italy should Herr Hitler gain the day, but a country which will be just as easily forced to bend to the German will as those cther unfortunates for whom it is the intention of the Allies to continue fighting until they have been restored to their territorial integrity. It is a paradox, but nevertheless true that they are also fighting for the salvation of a country which has so rashly embarked upon a campaign endeavouring to bulk their efforts. That is the simple truth of the matter. Thus fortified with specious excuses for this great betrayal of his country, for that is what it is no matter how the present war turns out, Signor Mussolini has torn down the excellent work he was doing for Italy and is leading his country to destruction from which only the Allies can possibly save it. Were they defeated Italy would stand alone against Germany, a most unenviable position from which to seek to insist upon adequate apportionment of the spoils, War Savings Association The announcement which appeared, in yesterday's correspondence relative to the formation of a War Savings Association similar to that which was formed in 1916, and which was responsible for the investment of over £1,000,000 in British funds for national purposes, is particularly welcome as showing that attention has been given to the subject of how best Britons in China can assist the Empire. This preliminary notice indicates that when all preparations have been perfected an appeal for subscriptions will be issued. Arrangements will be made that those: able only to provide the smallest monthly sums will be enabled to lend their money to the Government and thus assist in the good work of defeating the enemy. The work of organizing such an association again has been undertaken by a group of men whose qualifications to do it are beyond all question. They will be giving their services voluntarily, and if the Association proves as popular as its predecessor they will undoubtedly have plenty of work on their hands. The formation of this body should have no effect whatever upon the British Central War Fund which should continue to receive the same support as before, if not more. When the appeal is issued it is to be hoped that every Briton will do his or her utmost to subscribe as much as possible. The scheme is quite in keeping with the savings movements which are proceeding in Great Britain. It may not be possible for many, especially when the reduced value of the dollar is taken into consideration, and consequently reduced ability to save against the future, to favour the scheme for voluntarily taxation as has been suggested in some quarters, but there can be little reason why all should not be expected to contribute to a scheme which benefits the Empire, and at the same time gives the savers a small return on their money, while they are in fact accumulating capital. It may be taken for granted that the issuance of the appeal will be eagerly awaited and that the response will be great, Air Mail Suspension The temporary suspension of the Empire air mail services which are routed through the Mediterranean is an unfortunate, but inevitable, consequence of Italy' entry into the war on the side of the Nazis, To expose the slower and unarmed machines of Imperial Airways to the certainty of attack by enemy fighters would have been folly. The countries principally affected are Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Malta, India, Ceylon, Burma, Australia, New Zealand, East and South Africa, and, of course, the Far East. It may be possible, when the position in the Mediterranean has been clarified, to devise some route for these mail planes which avoids the danger zones, but in the meantime there must be some dislocation of contacts with the mother country and some inconvenience to merchants who have come to rely upon the air mails since the Siberian route, owing to G: man interference at the other end, became impossible. There is no mention in the despatch, which briefly announces the suspension, of the route across the Atlantic, and it may still be possible for urgent letters to be carried to Canada or the United States, flown across the American continent, and placed on board the American Clipper services to Manila and Hongkong. This might easily result, however, in putting too heavy a burden on this route, with a consequent deterioration in its efficiency. Residents in this part of the world must, therefore, rely principally upon the route via Canada until arrangements can be made for a resumption of the air service. After all, this is only turning the clock back a few years, to the time when this route was considered the most reliable of any, including the Siberian system, The Trick Which Failed The attempt of the Germans to persuade the world that with the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force from Flanders, little or no assistance would be given to France—the usual fgtm of lying propaganda at which the enemy has proved so adept,—has again come to naught. Nearly 90 per cent, of that force was extricated, and reinforcements are already arriving in France to assist the Allied armies in stemming the German advance. Dr. Goebbels and the inventive gentlemen under him endeavoured to convince the world that Britain was prepared to leave the French armies on the Continent "holding the bag" while it made its own islands impregnable. He has been answered by facts, which have been recognized by the New York "Sun." It is not now, and never has been part of the British character to betray Allies. Through all the dark days of the last war, and it will be remembered there were very many of them, there never was at any time any suggestion that either Great Britain or France would "rat" from each other. They stood up under just as heavy blowg as they are standing up under now. The admiration of the whole world must_go out to the epic gallantry with which the French are facing the onslaught of the enemy. Not an inch of territory is gained for which the enemy do not have to pay dearly, not a bomb dropped which is not repaid in kind. Struggling under the disadvantages, which a pacific policy during the last twenty years has created, they are fighting for time. The loss of s not vital, as the last war showed; its recovery will result from the final defeat of the enemy. In such a fight for life or death, there can be no question of capitulation by either of the Allies. Each day of endeavour and suffering which they endure is reducing the ability of the enemy to maintain his hammerlike blows. The advance on Paris is proceeding more slowly now than when the original attack was launched. There are signs, despite the fact that the German command were able to throw in more divisions on Tuesday that the enemy is tiring, but General Weygand is still holding up his counter-attack. It may even be delayed until after the fall of Paris, for, were it ill-timed, the result might prove disastrous. It is necessary then to watch events in France with the utmost patience, confident that the completest trust reigns amongst the Allies, and that General Weygand will not strike until he is absolutely ready to do so.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.