ROLE OF ITALY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20058, 3 October 1939, Page 5

ROLE OF ITALY

PEACE OFFENSIVE BERLIN PARLEY POSSIBLE REWARDS SEVEN-POWER CALL MUSSOLINI ANXIOUS ROME PRESS RETICENT (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.J (Reccl. Oct. 3, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 2. In a message to the New York Times from Berlin, Mr. Otto Tolischiis says that the conference between HenHitler and the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, appears to concern:

(1) Italy's role in the peace offensive.

(2) Italy's attitude in case the war continues. (3) The rewards Italy will receive in one case or the other.

“Officials are inclined to assign to Italy the role of leader of the peace front of the neutrals,” continues, the correspondent. “It is rumoured that she is already proposing a sevenPower conference to include Russia, Germany, Italy, Britain, France the United States and Turkey. Held in Abeyance “In view of this Germany is holding in abeyance the ultimate fate of a section of Poland outside Germany’s borders, but which is included therein under the agreement between Russia and Germany. “The inclusion of Turkey suggests the trend of Signor Mussolini’s anxieties. If Russia joins Germany against Britain, Italian control of the Dardanelles and the Suez Canal will be a life-and-death question.” ,

Messages from Rome state that the Italian press does not comment on Count Ciano’s visit to Berlin, but quotes German political circles as stating that both the Axis Powers have always got into direct touch whenever decisive events made such a step necessary.