Man who escaped Rome says –
Downfall of Mussolini is biggest break of war
Badoglio, known enemy of Fascism, will find way to sever ties with Axis, Packard believes
By Reynolds Packard, United Press staff writer
This dispatch was written by the former manager of the Rome Bureau of the United Press who was interned when the United States declared war on Italy and subsequently released under the exchange agreement. He is an authority on Italian affairs.
Allied HQ, North Africa –
The fall of Mussolini is the most momentous development in the war to date and the first question that follows is: Will Marshal Pietro Badoglio find a way to break with Germany?
That Marshal Badoglio will look for a way is obvious to one who knows Italy. How else could the advent of a known enemy of Mussolini and of Fascism at Italy’s helm be regarded?
I am sure the Italian people know Marshal Badoglio didn’t take over just to follow Mussolini’s policies. And they also must know that Mussolini didn’t desert until the raid on Rome and the defeat in Sicily made him sense inevitable disaster.
The development created great excitement here. Mussolini’s resignation was expected, of course, but not so soon. The next thing that must be ascertained before Marshal Badoglio’s course can be judged is Germany’s reaction.
Hitler’s men in Italy seem to have only one of two possible steps:
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They must pull out entirely, giving up Italy to her own future, or
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They must cease the role of a Gestapo over Italy and take open steps to make the Italians stay in the war.
When I left Italy more than a year ago, it was estimated Germany had seven divisions in Italy. Lately, they have sent in more, possibly preparing for just such a thing as has happened. I have reason to believe there may be 20 Nazi divisions there now. The Gestapo already controls the Italian secret police.
Thus, Marshal Badoglio’s job of telling Hitler that Italy no longer wants his war is magnified. How the Marshal, who saved Mussolini in Ethiopia and was later discarded by the Fascists, can get the job done is the question. Naturally, it might be asked whether Hitler engineered the deal. That isn’t likely unless Hitler has found Italy is impossible to defend and consented only to neutralize the country and use it as a buffer between Sicily and the German defenses.
Marshal Badoglio’s immediate statement that the “war continues” seems – and I was in Ethiopia with him and know his character – aimed at preventing the Axis from moving in at once. With a few weeks’ delay, he might be able to work things out.
When Marshal Badoglio retired in disgust and anger at what he regarded as the criminal Greek offensive in 1940, he was looked upon by Italians as a symbol of opposition to Mussolini. Why a revolt didn’t develop then is a major Italian mystery.
Two other points come up in the situation:
- Did Mussolini save his own skin by making a deal for his resignation?
- What is the position of King Victor Emmanuel and the royal House of Savoy?
As to the first, the most probable answer is that he did.
Mussolini has always been a master bargainer and a diplomatic dealer. While I was interned, there were constant rumors in Italy that Mussolini would try to engineer his escape through Vatican City in case of defeat. This was bolstered by the fact that he had made his pampered son-in-law, Count Ciano, Italian Ambassador to the holy See, sand skullduggery was suspected.
Great effect on Europe
The little King and other members of royalty, to my mind, have played along with Fascism. The Prince of Piedmont, for example, commanded Italian forces that marched into France. But for some years, the King’s present feeling toward Fascism has been a matter of speculation.
The fall of Mussolini is bound to have a great effect upon the other states of Europe which have watched him strut about and bluff them for years. And inside Italy, it will change the life of every Italian, allowing him to live a little more like a human.