Eaters of Polenta

From exchanged British prisoners, underground reports, official announcements and other sources last week came this pic ture of Italy in its third war spring:

> A new law provides for total civilian mobilization in case of emergency (i.e., imminent invasion). Excepting only women and youths under 17, the measure gives military status to all citizens not already under arms and assigns them to military units.

> Most Italians hate 1) Mussolini, 2) the 250,000 Germans quartered in Italy, 3) the British, who offset much of the enimity toward the Germans by the recent bombings of Milan, Turin, Genoa. For the Allies, the bombings have accomplished great material damage, and they have demoralized northern Italy. But the resentment against Britain is fierce, and many Italian citizens now oppose any suggestion of a negotiated peace with the British. Presumably the U.S. bombings of Naples are now having a similar effect.

> All foodstuffs are rationed, even where they are grown. Southern Italians used to despise northerners as "mangioni di polenta" (eaters of polenta, a staple made of corn meal flour). Now southerners eat polenta instead of bread. Good polenta is so thick it is cut with a string. Today's polenta is so thin it can be poured. Wine can still be had, but it is not plentiful.

> Fascist leaders still believe that woman's place is in the home, and few women have been placed in factories. But boys of twelve work afternoons in war industries, and soldiers are frequently used as laborers. Transport has been crippled by the labor shortage. In Rome trains and trams run only at the peak hours. Travel between cities is impossible without special police permission. Only one train a day runs between Naples and Rome; once there were 15. And trains do not run on time.

> Rome, supposedly safe from bombing, is completely blacked out. Few cinemas operate: Italian companies produce very few pictures, and German pictures are unpopular. Puppet shows, performing dogs, old traveling artists have made a comeback. Churches are packed; confessionals are besieged by penitents, and huge religious demonstrations are frequent in towns and cities throughout the country.

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