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THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 18, 1940.
ITALY STUDYING THE ROOSEVELT MESSAGE Dwindling Hope Of Continued Non-Belligerency
Foreigners
GERMANS
Leaving Country CALLED ON FOR
ROME, TO-DAY. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S MESSAGE TO MUSSO- AC- LINI IS BEING “STUDIED CAREFULLY"'- CORDING TO OFFICIAL CIRCLES WHO STATE, HOWEVER, THAT AS THE MESSAGE IS OF A PERSONAL CHARACTER NO`STATEMENT CAN BE MADE ABOUT ITS CONTENTS, AND ANY FORECAST OF IL DUCE'S REPLY WOULD BE PREMATURE.
In the meantime the number of political observers who so far have staunchly believed Italy would remain a non- belligerent, is dwindling.
NOTHING TO DO BUT WAIT
Berne, To-day.
After the Federal Council
•
Trains for the frontiers are fully booked by British and French sub- jects.
Nationwide demonstrations are be- ing prepared for next Sunday which has been proclaimed "The day of Ita- lians abroad."
The weekly review "Critica Fas- cista," directed by Signor Bottal, the Minister of Education, says British hegemony in the Mediterranean is intolerable.
"We must face the problem or lose
our opportunity."
Count Ciano, the Foreign Minister, was scheduled to speak yesterday on the foreign affairs estimates but the estimates were passed, without any
SACRIFICES
London, To-day.
Germans were told of the ne- cessity for further heavy sacri- fices in an official Berlin, broad- cast yesterday.
The announcer declared: **We are fully aware that very difficult taske still have to be performed. These, tasks will heavily: tax the self-sacrifice both of the army and the home front but we know no sacrifice for the sake of Ger- many's victory will be too great
"Reuter. for them."
MYSTERY MINEFIELD
Capetown, To-day.
No victims are reported as a result of the minefleld which has been dis- covered off Cape Agulhas, southern- most point of Africa, and the Defence Department is taking adequate stepa to "liquidate" it.
and
The minefield is on the busiest shipping lane between Europe the East since British ships diverted from the Mediterranean. Reuter.
were
RECRUITING IN EGYPT Cairo, To-day, Voluntary recruiting of British re- sidents in Egypt for the local defence force began yesterday morning, and al- ready there has been a considerable response.--Reuter.
CLIMAX IN ITALY EXPECTED IN NEAR FUTURE
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL ”)
Rome, To-day. WHILE WILD RUMOURS continue to spread about Italy's imminent entry in the war on the side of Germany, the tension has somewhat abated and the tone of the Ita lian press is less aggressive towards France and Britain. that The police guards around the French Observers are of the opinion
efforts to and British Embassies and the Yugo- the Fascist Government's slav Legation haven been reduced. stir up the Italian masses was pré- Foreign quarters are of the opinion mature and the anti-Allied-out-bursts that the tension in the Mediteranean will be interrupted for some time. The cost of Italy's "non-belliger-will reach a climax within six or ency" was revealed by the Italian De-seven weeks, namely after the harvest fence Minister yesterday, when he re- which is a most important date: for ported a record deficit for all Italian Italy. budgets of about £250,000,000,
Cost Of Preparations
Rome, To-day:
had examined the interna- speech-Reuter. tional situation at a long meeting yesterday afternoon, a high Swiss officer declared: "No further military mea- sures need to be taken as the army is completely prepared and is at its war stations.
*Wadling remains to be done except to await events patiently."
Accumulated deficits for the last five Arshoritative circles here are pleas-years now amounted to about 74,345.- ed to note signs of a more peaceful | 000,000 lire, or over £900,000,000. uševdation on the part of Italy.
Political observers feel that an in- terested Power has recently been fying to test the Swiss nerves. It is thought Switzerland might be endangered if the Western Front final- ly becomes static.
Signs of Italy's interest in Swiss memtrality are still not lacking-Reu-
ROOSEVELT REARMAMENT PROGRAMME
Washington, To-day. The realisation is spreading President Roosevelt's fance proposals are but the
imming.
Expediture on war preparations and précautions was four times as great as those foreseen in the original es- timates.
-Reuter.
Italian Denial
Rome, To-day.
1
A Cairo despatch to the Stefani news agency states the Italian Legation there has denied reports that -Italian consuls had advised Italians living in Egypt to leave.-Reuter.
Sanctions Cry Again
Rome, To-day. Count Suardo, President of the Senate, addressing Sena- tors in the presence of Mus- solini yesterday afternoon said:
"The Italian people press around you, Duce, to form a body of energy and will, ready for your orders, because they know the path you will choose aims at Italy's greatness and power.
We are indignant at the new irri- tations which recall the coalition of 52 enemies against our single nation."
The speech followed the passing of the Budget which showed expenditure for 1939/40, estimated at 29 milllard lire, had risen to 36 milliards, and in consequence the deficit has risen from 4 milliards as estimated to 01⁄4 mil-
Reuter.
Treasury qfficials privately are dis casing the expenditure of an addi- tinmal $10,000,000,000 for defence be-llards, Be the end of 1942.
As Congress begins to attack the problem of
now. de-
programme,
Is
Ty reminding the nation that new armamente must be paid
widely suggested means.
income.
BRITISH REGRETS TO SWEDEN
London, To-day. The British Government has pressed its regrets to Sweden
“on. Swadisby,
ex over
Others expect Italy's entry in the war on May 24, the anniversary date of Italy's "entry in the war on the Allies alde "In 1916.'
OFF THE RECORD
Meanwhile, Italy is continuing "moral and diplomatic support" of Germany as heretofore. Havas.
The appointment of Mr. J. H. Tag- gart to be Controller of Food is an- nounced in the Gazette.
By ED REED.
"Don't you have ANY stenographer who wants to marry the bose" mon
Here's Luck
at 1w
EWO BEER
rvik, Ja