U.S.A. & ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1939, Page 5

U.S.A. & ITALY

REPORTED INTIMATION TO MUSSOLINI CONCERN OVER ACTIVITIES IN PROSPECT. INFORMATION REFUSED BY EMBASSY. 3y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. January 4. Acting on instructions from Washington. Mr William Phillips, American Ambassador in Rome, called on Signor Mussolini yesterday for a talk lasting 40 minutes.

One report says that Mr Phillips handed Signor Mussolini a personal message from President Roosevelt containing certain concrete proposals, but the United States Embassy refuses information, declaring that any announcement regarding the conversation must come from Washington. According to the Rome correspondent of the "Daily Mail," the conversation was concerned with certain aspects of the Dictator regimes in Europe which, Mr Phillips emphasised, were causing disquiet in America. Questions affecting United States trade with Italy were also discussed. The meeting is described as friendly and generally aimed at securing better understanding between the two countries.

The Rome correspondent of the "News Chronicle” says it is understood that Mr Phillips, who recently returned from a visit to America, expressed President RoosevelLs gravest concern at the present situation in Europe, specially in regard to reports current in Washington that Italy and Germany are planning further sensational activities in the spring.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT. ONLY REFUGEE PROBLEM DISCUSSED. dy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, January 4. The Assistant-Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles has announced that the American Ambassador to Rome, Mr Phillips, has communicated to Signor Mussolini the United States attitude on the refugee problem, at the same time seeking the Duce’s views. No other matters were taken up in a forty-min-ute conversations.

Informed circles believe Mr Phillips may also have asked Signor Mussolini to use his good offices with Herr Hitler to provide for orderly emigration from Germany and to co-operate with the International Committee.