Why then has Italy declared war?" continued Mr. Attlee, "I say for completely sordid material motives, because Mussolini thinks he secs a chance of securing some spoils at the expense of the Western democracies now that they are at grips with the brute forces of Germany, "Mussolini uses the argument of a jackal, which fancies the possibility getting some scraps from another deast's Kill. He puts forward the argument of a petty sneak thief, who hopes to rifle the pockets of a mur-
"This is an ignoble role that Mussolin{ has chosen for the great Italian people, which has made such a splendid contribution to European civilization in the past.
False to the finest traditions of the Roman Empire which laid the foundations of law and order in. Europe, false to Christian faith, false to the heritage "of culture and of the Renaissance, and betraying men who have struggled for freedom, Mazini, ibaldi, Victor Emmanuel and Cavour, men who made Italy a free nation, the Italians are now to ald the German barbarians In - their attack upon civilization.
"We shall give them blow for blow. Two dictators have united to destroy. Democracy. Democracy. will answer the challenge. From across the Atlantic has come the answer of a Breat Democracy (cheers), "It was as though day had followed night when, only a few hours. after the Dictator of Italy had made his dastardly announcement to cheering ranks of Black Shitts, the President of the United States delivered to the youth of his country a message worthy of a great free country.
"France, whose arms freed Italy from German domination, is now stabbed in the back by descendants of the men she freed.
Profound Mistake britain is to be attacked in the hope that from her destruction, Mussolini may get some pickings for his new Roman empire. Mussolini has made a profound mistake. The victims whose lands he hopes to share are not dead. The French people never greater than when in adversity (cheers), are fight-magnificently on sea, air and land.
britain, in all her strength by sea, fair and land, is standing firmly by her side. "The Italians like the Germans will find that they have to meet resolute resistance. They will soon find—they are already finding—what is the might of Allied sea power. Already 14 ships have been seized, ten others are in our ports, and three, on the best German model have been scuttled (laughter).
"Imaginary restraints, which our' occupation of the east and west ends of the Mediterranean are supposed to impose on Italy in time of peace, have become realities in time of war. aly, like Germany, will feel the "T say we have no Ill will towards the Ttalign people. We are sorry that they should be brought to the slaughter on account of the overweening ambition and Just for blood of the Duce, but we are prepared to meet the challenge."
Part of the statement was devoted to the Allied withdrawal from Not-Way. Because of the pressure of the war on other fronts, Mr. Attlee said, Allied forces had been' withdrawn from Norway. It was with deep regret that His Majesty's Government Was forced to take the decision to abandon the campaign in north Norway, Ail the forces at the disposal of the. Allies must be employed on the main front, where the fate of Norway and.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.