Jan 17, 1940; ITALY MAY DESERT HITLER / SMALL NEUTRALS ASSURED HELP:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JANUARY 17, 1940:

IN THE SPRING MAY

DESERT HITLER T0
STOP BOSHELVISTS

Warning Issued By Gen. Muti

That Present Stand Cannot
Be Perpetual.
By JOE ALEX MORRIS
(United Press Staff Correspond)
Italy warned today that Fascism, might "at any moment" take up :arms in Europe's wars. Fighting fronts in both Western Europe and Finland were immobilized for the time being by extreme cold, but in every land there was acute attention and speculation as to what will happen when the winter breaks and in Italy there were words that indicated almost for the first time a growing question as to Fascist neutrality.

We must not sleep in the illusion that Italy's present stand regarding the conflict will be perpetual." Gen Ettore Muti, secretary general of the Fascist party, declared Fascist Italy might find .itself at any moment faced with the necessity and duty of taking up arms.

Italy's greatest agitation recently has been against the threat of a spread of Bolshevism into the Balkans, where she has promised to provide powerful opposition in event of any Russian! threat, but paramount interest; has centered on whether Fascism could remain neutral in the. Allied-German war and whether she would desert her German ally.

 

Small Neutrals Assured

of British, French Help
If Reds or Nazis Attack

Bly LOUIS F. KEEMLE

(United Press Cable Editor)
The most significant item in the week-end war extension scare which had all Europe jittery came from London and Paris.
It consisted of informal assurance to the smaller neutral nations—Norway. Sweden, Denmark. Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Balkan countries—that they can count on Allied aid if they are attacked by Germany or Russia.
There was no formal pledge, but the London censor did not interfere with the free circulation of reports that Britain is ready to aid Sweden and Norway.