Two articles: Italy declares war on Germany and Italy to prove herself

Two articles: Italy declares war on Germany and Italy to prove herself

Article 1 headlines: Italy declares war on Germany, co-belligerent with United Nations, active cooperation accepted, armistice terms still in full force. Article 2 headlines: Italy to prove herself, allies attitude, facts of surrender unchanged.

1943-10-14

Two newspaper cuttings mounted on a scrapbook page

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THE TIMES THURSDAY OCTOBER 14 1943

ITALY DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY

CO-BELLIGERENT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS

ACTIVE COOPERATION ACCEPTED

ARMISTICE TERMS STILL IN FULL FORCE

Italy declared war on Germany at 3 p.m. yesterday. The decision was communicated by the Italian Ambassador in Madrid to the German Ambassador, who was informed that the Italian Government had taken this step in face of the repeated and intensified acts of war committed against the Italians by the armed forces of Germany.

A joint declaration was issued by the British, American, and Russian Governments accepting the active cooperation of the Italian nation and armed forces as a co-belligerent in the war against Germany. Meanwhile the terms of the armistice retain their full force.

ITALY TO PROVE HERSELF

ALLIES’ ATTITUDE

FACTS OF SURRENDER UNCHANGED

From Our Diplomatic Correspondent

The Italian declaration of war on Germany and the allied acceptance of “the active cooperation of the Italian nation and armed forces as a co-belligerent” derive primarily from military developments and considerations. Time alone can show how well based is the assumption that the decisions now taken will rally the mass of Italians and strengthen their fighting spirit, which most accounts agree has touched a low level. “Co-belligerent” Italy has yet to prove itself.

The three-Power statement makes quite clear that what is called “the relationship of co-belligerency” does not change the fundamental facts of the Italian surrender. Italy does not become an ally. The careful phrasing of the statement accepting her as a “co-belligerent” will be noted by Yugoslavs, Greeks, and others who have reason especially to remember the savage war waged by the Italians against their countries.