The Key West Citizen

MUSSOLINI WANTS DEMANDS MET OR THERE'LL BE WAR

IL DUCE ANSWERS FDR'S REQUEST FOR PEACE: ITALIAN ARMY TOLD TO BE READY "FROM HOUR TO HOUR"

(By Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, May 20.

President Roosevelt's seemingly last-minute request for peace sent to Italy has been answered by Premier Benito Mussolini.

The texts of the request and reply have not been made known here but reports from Rome give some indication of Il Duce's answer.

Italy will remain non-belligerent, these sources claim the Duce has told the President, if the United States will underwrite the fulfillment of Italian demands against France. In other words, Mussolini will be peaceful if the American government will exert pressure upon the French government to give Italy the territory and rights it wants.

From authoritative sources comes word that the United States cannot in any way carry out the reply to the President's peace request. In some quarters, it is said that Mussolini realized this and that it implies Italy will in the near future enter the war.

It all simmers down to the fact that Mussolini will remain at peace if the demands are met or go to war to gain his objectives—but they must be fulfilled regardless.

The Italian army has been told to be ready for the Duce's orders "from hour to hour". Count Ciano, in addressing cheering mobs yesterday in celebration of the Rome-Berlin axis, said Italy will not remain out of this war. He declared the Fascists are in readiness for any order Mussolini may give.