RIBBENTROP’S VISIT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1940, Page 7

RIBBENTROP’S VISIT

OPPOSITE VIEWS IN ITALY & GERMANY “NON-BELLIGERENCY” TO BE MAINTAINED. I THE PROBLEM OF FINLAND. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 10. Italian newspapers describe the visit to Rome of the German Foreign Minister (Herr von Ribbentrop) as nothing out of the ordinary, in contrast to the German Press, which gives it the greatest significance. All Italian papers emphasise Italy’s determination to maintain the attitude described as "non-belligerency,'’ and one states that the talks will be strictly "informative." One writer says that Herr von Ribbentrop knows better than to try to get Signor Mussolini to depart from ‘non-belligerency.” The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that the Press approves an honourable settlement for Finland and emphasises Italy’s determination to maintain her neutrality. Signor Virginio Gayda, in an article, says that Finland alone can judge what chance there is of peace to safeguard her interests, and that she alone can decide whether to maintain her heroic resistance. The question of making peace is for Finland and Russia alone. What interests the rest of Europe is the possibility of last-min-ute intervention by France and Britain. Signor Gayda shows some concern al that possibility. The Copenhagen correspondent of "The Times" says that a Danish correspondent reported from Berlin that Herr von Ribbentrop's visit to Rome presages events of the greatest importance in the next six months. Herr von Ribbentrop is credited with saying that the European war will be ended in six months’ time, and the same theory is heard in German military circles. Some express the opinion that Herr von Ribbentrop hopes to persuade Signor Mussolini to mediate in the Russo-Finnish war, so as to prepare the way for a triple alliance between Germany, Italy and Russia. TRADE NEGOTIATIONS MR CHAMBERLAIN’S HOPE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, March 11. Mr Neville Chamberlain in the House of Commons, referring to the success* fill conclusion of conversations with Italy regarding German coal, said he hoped that a way had been opened for resumption of trade negotiations. ITALIAN POLICY NO CHANGE INTENDED. "GUEST WHO WILL SPEAK MOST” (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) ROME, March 11. King Victor Emmanuel received Herr von Ribbentrop. The conversation lasted over an hour. The Rome radio announcer, speaking in English, this morning emphasised that Italy does not intend to change the policy she adopted after the outbreak of the war. "It is our duty to reduce the rumours in connection with the German Foreign Minister to the proper proportions,” he said. “The importance of the visit is not denied, but it must be remembered that it. is part of German-Italian relations. It is only natural that the German Government is keen to confirm its relations to Italy, but it will be our distinguished guest who will speak most.

“Suppositions that Italy intends to change her attitude in consequence of negotiations are without foundation." Herr von Ribbentrop, accompanied by the German Minister to the Holy See, arrived at the Vatican at 10.50 a.m., was received with traditional ceremony and was taken to the Pope’s private library for an interview which lasted 20 to 25 minutes, after which Herr von Ribbentrop visited Cardinal Maglioni.