ARRIVAL IN ROME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 January 1939, Page 7

ARRIVAL IN ROME

BRITISH MINISTERS GIVEN WARM WELCOME

MET BY DUCE & COUNT CIANO.

STREETS LINED WITH TROOPS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) ROME, January 11. Mr Chamberlain arrived at the station at 3.25 p.m. Signor Mussolini and Count Ciano. attired in the uniforms of corporals of honour, greeted him in an improvised, beflowered and beflagged hall of honour, and extended a cordial welcome. Later Mr Chamberlain was acclaimed by ’nine hundred British residents on a special stand. A tremendous crowd cheered and cried: "Viva Chamberlain, Halifax!”

The adjoining square and neighbouring streets were lined with soldiers. Genoese cavalry and armed Fascist! youths. Cheering in the streets was continuous until the cavalcade crossed the river towards the beautifully decorated Villa Madama.

CONVERSATIONS OPEN

CORDIAL IN CHARACTER. SAID TO HAVE BEEN GENERAL IN SCOPE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received. This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, January 11. After signing the visitors' book at the quirinal Mr Neville Chamberlain went to the Palazzo Venezia for a .conversation with Signor Mussolini, and Viscount Halifax and Count Ciano met at the Palazzo Chigi. A banquet was held at the Palazzo Venezia in the evening, when a distinguished company attended a reception.

The latest Rome messages state that the conversations lasted an hour and 25 minutes and are to be resumed tomorrow. It is stated that the conversations were general in their scope and very cordial in character.

PRESS OPINIONS

LITTLE HOPE OF POSITIVE RESULTS. MR CHAMBERLAIN’S PROBABLE ATTITUDE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 10. The newspapers, commenting on the Rome visit, describe it as one primarily of courtesy, made in response to Signor,. Mussolini’s invitation to Mr Chamberlain in Munich and accepted with a view to the general improvement of mutual understanding rather than the settlement of particular questions.

“The Times” expressed sympathy with France’s attitude toward the Italian claims for various territories in and around the Mediterannean as being apparently directly contrary to the spirit and letter of the Anglo-Italian agreement, which confirmed the status quo of the whole Mediterranean area.

“It has fortunately, to be recognised” continues the paper, “that neither Signor Musolini nor his Government has formally put forward a scheme of the dimensions of which the Italian Press has been full. They have, in fact, disowned them and the way may thus still be open for some modification here and there of the present position in Africa.”

Apart from the Jewish question, “The Times” assumes that the refugee question may well come up for useful discussion, but otherwise it would perhaps be too much to hope for immediate, positive results from the present visit, which nevertheless will be of inestimable value if it contributes to the common desire of the vast majority of mankind for the earliest normalisation of international relations.”

The “Daily Telegraph” also anticipates that the conversations will be mainly exploratory and consultative rather than explicit and definite. Among the subjects likely to arise in addition to the Franco-Italian relations and Spain, the “Daily Telegraph” mentions Palestine. Jewish immigration', and Suez Canal dues and perhaps the Mediterannean fortifications. '

The “Manchester Guardian’s” diplomatic correspondent emphasises that Mr Chamberlain is going to Rome without a plan of discussion, while the vagueness on the Italian side is so great that it is surprising. It is considered possible that the British delegation is prepared for anything.

It is considered likely that Signor Mussolini will stress the subject of An-glo-Italian trade relations. It is believed that he still regards the Spanish problem as not ripe'for discussion. A Paris message states that it is gathered in political circles that Mr Chamberlain proceeded on his way to Rome without intending to make any declaration, but to listen to the Italian viewpoint and proffer advice if asked for it.