Marshal Badoglio's / Policy Marshal Badoglio made a clear and
uncompromising statement to a special correspondent of The Times in an interview which was reported last Monday. He did not spare Mussolini, whom he holds solely responsible for Italy's entry into the war in 194o, and for much of the bad strategy that followed. His actual fall, he points out, was directly -effected neither by the Army, though it distrusted
him, nor by the Italian people, though they hated Fascism, but by the Fascist Grand Council itself. So far as the future is concerned, the Marshal appears to take a limited view of his own functions—his object is to free.the country of the Germans, acting in collaboration with the British and Americans ; and he declares that he has already shown that he desires friendship with France, Yugoslavia and Greece, against whom, in his opinion, no one in Italy will want to revive territorial claims after the war. His most important statements were those in which he reaffirmed his intention to complete his Govern- ment with representatives of the Left wing parties, and promised that as soon as hostilities cease he would resign to make way for an exclusively political Ministry, and enable a general election to be held. His answers to questions were direct and dignified. His attitude, so far as the Allies were concerned, is well-judged and correct. When Fascism is eradicated the future internal affairs of Italy will not be our concern, but in view of the fact that our forces are in Italy, and that we cannot fail to influence events, it is of the greatest importance that nothing should be done by Allied representatives to hinder the ultimate return of democratic leaders and the establishment of a democratic constitution. The Marshal appears to be fully aware of our responsibilities on those great issues.
