Sept. 11.
While it is reported from Berlin that the Germans expect to force a decision with' Great Britain in the course of the next few weeks, Signor Gayda, Mussolini's mouthpiece, and consequently in close touch with the Italian Government, predicts that "the war may still be long and difficult." That is probably the best estimate of the situation which has been made recently. It indicates Jack of faith that the present air-raids on London and the south-east of England will bring about the quick submission of the] British, and more than a little belief that Mr, Churchill meant what he said when he. averred that, even if Britain were occupied by the enemy, the struggle would be carried on from the Colonies. Signor Gayda probably in a better position to estimate the] realities of the situation than most other people. He has access to the reports of Italy's Ally, which are at present denied the world of large. He not only knows what Germany is able to effect against Great Britain, but he also knows what damage the British fliers have been doing in Germany, The horrific stories which are being sedulously spread by the Germans of what they claim to be doing to London are all part and parcel of the campaign of terrorism. They are in no more a position to know in detail the results of their raids than are the lish aviators responsible for the attacks! on German cities which are military obactives. There can be very little doubt that heavy damage has been done in London Neutral correspondents support that vie But their stories Iso show that the German reports have been grossly exaggerated. Gerize the harm done by raids over Germany are just as trans parent as ever they were, for they still per sist in the fairy tale that they are suffering ho more damage than the occasional dis~ turbance of a field, the injury of a few domestic animals, and the destruction of shed in a Berlin suburb, Signor Gave knows better, and when he expresses the idea that the war may still be a long and dificult one, he knows the reason why. That is that Hitler has not yet delivered such a blow to Britain as would be likely to break her determination to resist, and at present shows little likelihood of being able to do Signor Gayda in his editorial article in the "Giornale d'Italia" points out that "England, whose empire is at stake, is rich and wel!' supplied, and, therefore, can still offer sistance." He might have added that it is peopled by a race which is determined to avail itself to the full of its resources, whether material or spiritual, to make sure: that the evil thing, for which Hitler and Signor Gayda's leader stand, shall be des~ troyed and utterly cast down, Britain will fight, as the 'Prime Minister has promised on' the beaches, in the fidds, in the villages and towns, street by street if necessary, and even then continue outside the British Isles in th unlikely event of such an unhappy decision having to be made. That is the meaning of his assurance to the United States that the British Navy would neither be surrendered nor scuttled. It means that come what may the Empire will fight on, 'The Italian journalist with delightful naivete goes on io say "This adventure may drag the western hemisphere—which no one' intends touching—into. the war." If he thinks for one moment that anyone will place the slightest faith in such an assurance he gravely deceives himself, German activities throughout the Americas clearly show that Hitler's ulti jon is world domination, Fifth column activities even friendly Japan merely serve (o corroborate that view. to make the song "Deutschland elber Alles" come true, and there need be no mistake about it, that should he succeed, there would be no question of a German-Italian condominium, but the ultimate absorption of Moly itself into the Reich. It needs to be remembered that Italy in such a case would be in no position to defend herself successfully. It is, perhaps, unfortunate that Italy herself will benefit from the British victory, for it will liberate her from the shackles which Mussolini placed on her at the bidding of his Nazi master. Italy, should Britain be defeated, has no future save as an appanage of the Third Reich, and only a British victory. gan possibly ive her. her freedom "back again,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.