London, June 11.
The Ministry of Information states that the preparations of the Allied Governments regarding Italy are complete, and that they will know how to meet sword with sword.
In the struggle between civilization and the pagan hordes of Germany, the Fastist Government has waited to intervene at the moment of greatest embarrassment for the Allies. It is hoped by this unchivalrous and cowardly policy, to secure for Italy such plunder as Germany will graviously permit her to have, but what the Italians will, in fact, experience is the contempt of the world, and the armed might of the two Empires which Italy has wantonly attacked.
This is to be a long war, the Ministry says, and it will be fought on land and air with the resources at the disposal of the Allies, until the German menace is lifted from Europe. There is no hope, therefore, of Italy obtaining great successes in a short while, and at little cost.
She will be called upon for great sacrifices to Germany's advantage. The Allied Governments have, for some time, discounted Italy's decision.
The peoples of the Balkans will have noted Mussolini's reassuring words in their regard. The Axis powers have been prodigal of such assurances as Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg have learned to their cost, the statement concludes.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.