prospect of an Allied victory in in Europe if it could be assured that  
this wou[d not mean a period of anarchy after victory. Have the Allies   
practical plans for maintaining order after the cessation of  
hostilities? There is a belief in some of the neutral Mediterranean  
countries that the Axis, if victorious, would have the means to  
keep order, while the Allies, on the other hand, would not.
 
     
 
 
2. Count Ciano has no popular following in italy. He is very obviously   
keeping as aloof as possible from present developments. He  
is anti-German and the Germans know it and therefore do not trust  
him. He desires to fade out of the picture altogether, but the Duce  
will not let him. Grandi and Buttat would also like to retire, as  
they are opposed to present policies; but Mussolini will not let  
them either, saying "You must see this business through with me."
 
     
 
 
3. The man to lead the future Italy has not yet appeared. Marshal  
Caviglia comes nearest to measuring up to the job, but he is nearly  
eighty years old. Marshal Badoglio has the reputation of being too  
much out for himself to be a popular leader. He might, however, prove  
an adequate chief during the transition period after the fall of the  
present regime. He has the confidence of the Royal Family and the Army.
 
     
 
 
Count Volpi is out as a possible leader. He is generally known to  
be too "slick" a character. Grandi is too fundamentally weak. Count  
Sforza has no following in Italy. He is an "unsympathetic" person  
to the italian people.
 
 
 
October 1942