TWO DICTATORS MEET.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 4, 28 September 1937, Page 4

TWO DICTATORS MEET.

The" inner iniplications of Signor Mussolini's visit to Herr Hitle ' are no doubt being closely studied by the diplomats of both Great Britain and France. It was hinted a few days back that thQ almost frienchy advances whiqh Italy was, then makino to Great Britain and France with reference to non-inter-vention in Spain and tq Mediterranean interests were design.^ ed tQ aiford hirn some sort of leverage in bis then coming discnssiqnsi with Herr Hitler. It might not be far wiae of the mark to imagine that a conveise suggestion might apply— that the Berhn vigit is meant to impress Great^Britain and France, especially the former, with the need fdV bringing Italy back mto the Locarno fold even at the price of making some composition with her pn the Abyssinian question. In short, that II Duce is playing Britain and Germany off againgt one another In any event, it may be taken with fair confidence that there is no very sincere cordiafity in the so demonstrative # professions of friendship between the two dictators. Their rcspective political and territorial arobitions in Europe rnn too much counter to one another for that. Indeed, iheir present seemingly close association is very much the result of a compromise on these questions that is not at all likely to be permanent could either see a fairly safe opportunity of taking advantage of the other. On the other hand, however, they are no doubt very much at one in qombimng in an effort to main- . lain the popularity of Fascist rule in their ovvn countries and to prevent the spread of Communistic, Socialistic, or, indeed, even of democratic rule in Europe. Then, for all we hear of the almost idolatrous worship of whiqh each" is the object in his' own country, there are shrewd observers who detect strong under-currents of internal revolt against their autocratic rule. v This is perhaps inore clearly noted in Germany than in Italy, though in both there are many who are beginning to. recognise that the immense expenditures upon miiitary preparations and maintenance have resulted in marked impoverishment of the people, Among the Germans, a much more highiy commercialised nation than the Italians, there is also a growing realisation that the pronounced mrlitaristic attr- " tude which Herr Hitler persists in preserving is operating very badly against the country' s recovery of its old place m the world' s- trade. In this respect a great deal of significance is attracted to the recent resignation of Dr. Schacht from his position among Der Fuhrer's responsible adviser's, of whom he was regarded as the soundest and sanest so far as concerns financial, commercial and other economic considerations. Beyond this, there is said to be a good deal of dissension among Herr Hitler's other advisers, and even among his miliiary entourage, where the Spanish adventure in particular is regarded with anything but approval. _ % In Italy Signor Mussolini's po.sition is perhaps more assured. In his Abyssinian conquest he has at least something tc show in the way of achievement by the armies he has created at such great cost and sacrifice on the part of his people, There are, however, arising in the popular mind, strong doubts as to whether this conquest is really of such great value as was represented, while it has brought no. relaxation oi the burden of miiitary expenditure, indeed seems rather to tend to its indefinite perpetuation. It may possibly be that the Italian people are ipspired.with the idea of the restoration of the glory of the old Roman Empire, but it may well be • doubted whether this can be maintained long enough for anything like realisation. . In neither- instance,. therefore, .are. these two dictators altogether easy in their minds, and it seems a little anomalous that, as current messages show, such beloved rulers sliould have to take so many precautions for their own personal safety. Then, however highiy each may be regarded among Ws own people, it is said that Herr Hitler is held in no s very friefldly esteero among the Italians, while the Germans have no better regard for Signor Mussolini, despite all the glittering outward show of welcdme that is now being extended to him. Ihe Italo-German association, of which suph boast is made as constituting the international "axis" of Europe, would thus seem to lack many of the elements essential to permanence, while the German people are not likely to fcrget tat, when Italy saw some chance of her own aggran- , disement, she showed no hesitation about renouncing the Tiiple Alliance and joining with their enemies in bringing about their country' s downfall in the Great War.