ITALIAN STAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20060, 5 October 1939, Page 5

ITALIAN STAND

PEACE PLANS DENIED NEUTRALITY WANTED REACTION OF PUBLIC CIANO’S BERLIN VISIT (Kli'c. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.; (Reed. Oct. 5, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 4. It is officially stated in Rome that Italy will take no initiative of any kind. This is m reply to the suggestion that Signor Mussolini was preparing to call a peace conference. The Rome newspapers still show a strong feeling towards neutrality. The Rome correspondent of the New York Times, however, writes that although nothing specific has leaked out about the result of the trip to Berlin by the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, there are strong reports of another Italian peace move. The correspondent states that the Italians refuse to abandon the belief that what they consider a reasonable offer has some possibility of success. “They realise that if they merely offered Herr Hitler’s terms, no matter how sugar-coated, they would be turned down,” continues the correspondent. “Nevertheless they feel that some effort must be made. Conference Talk “There is a strong belief in Rome that Count Ciano put the matter before Herr Hitler. The talk of a seven-Power conference, including the United States and Turkey, has no more authority than a dozen other ideas floating round.” The Berlin correspondent of the Popolo d’ltalia, in a despatch which is reprinted in all newspapers and is therefore regarded as authoritative, says that Herr Hitler insisted on getting all the Poles within his lurisdiction so as to offer the possibility of constituting a purely Polish State. “Russia agreed to withdraw after receiving compensations of particular strategic importance in the Baltic,” continues this despatch. "It now is expected that Herr Hitler will make the constitution of (a Polish State part of his peace offer.” Wish to Keep Neutral In stressing Italy’s determination to remain neutral the correspondent of the New York Times does not intend to indicate that this is her final stand. “It seems improbable that she would go pro-German in the near future,” he adds. “That is as much as can be said. As each new crisis arrives, she must make a new choice. “It is true, however, that the longer she stays neutral, the more difficult it will be for her to abandon the safe road for the perils of partisanship. A people so individualstic and independent in thought as the Italans cannot be made to go about face overnight in the way the Germans can. “If they are to be brought into the war, a whole new programme of psychological preparation must be undertaken. So far there are no signs of such, nor are there signs that Count Ciano’s visit has changed Italy’s present policy.” Possible Despatch to London The Amsterdam Telegraaf understands that Herr Hitler’s peace plans are being transmitted to London through the Italian Embassy, possibly to-day. A Paris message states that France is closely watching the reaction of neutral States. The Premier, M. Daladier, "will emphasise AngloFrench solidarity when he addresses the Foreign Affairs Committee. A message from Copenhagen quotes the Berlin correspondent of a Dutch newspaper, who forecasts that Herr Hitler will make an honourable peace offer. There is even talk in Berlin of a plebiscite throughout Germany before the Government decides to prosecute the war. The Copenhagen Politiken's Berlin correspondent says that Herr Hitler has already considered Mr. Chamberlain’s speech. High circles consider that it does not close the door The German press ignored Mr. Chamberlain, but a condensed version was transmitted over the radio. The Borsen Zeitung states that all the German land, air, and sea forces now in the west are ready to attack. The Nazi Party organ, Volkischer Beobachter, says the childish conception that the destruction of Herr Hitler is necessary is only a hindrance co European peace.