ROME VISIT ENDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 March 1940, Page 5

ROME VISIT ENDS

RIBBENTROP HOMEWARD BOUND REPORTED CONVERSATION WITH POPE. ATTEMPT TO LAUNCH PEACE OFFENSIVE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright LONDON, March 11. The German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, is now reported to be on his way back to Berlin from Rome, lie left, at 11.30 o’clock this evening and was seen off by Count. Ciano, Ihe Italian Foreign Minister. Evidence that the visit to Rome was primarily aimed at the initiation of a new peace offensive is contained in an “accurate summary from a trustworthy source” forwarded by the Rome correspondent of “The Times” cf Herr von Ribbentrop’s conversations with the Pope and Cardinal Maglione, the Papal Secretary of State. Herr von Ribbentrop, accompanied by the German Minister at the Holy See, arrived at the Vatican at 10.50 a.m. and was received with traditional ceremony. He was taken to the Pope’s private library for an interview which lasted between 20 and 25 minutes, after which he visited Cardinal Maglione. According to “The Times” informant. Herr von Ribbentrop did not submit a cut and. dried plan to the Pope but emphasised that Germany did not want war. He inquired whether the Pope would support a peace plan initiated by Germany or a friendly State. The Pope replied that eventual support would be conditional, because of the necessity for reparations not only to Catholics but to non-Catholics who had been ill-treated in Poland and Czechoslovakia. He declared that his support would be dependent on the peace plans conforming with the ideas outlined at the Christmas meetings of the College of Cardinals. Herr von Ribbentrop attempted to secure a cessation of the Vatican broadcasts on atrocities. The Pope replied that the broadcasts would continue as long as atrocities were perpetrated. . . ... Herr von Ribbentrop claimed that Nazism had saved not only Germany but also Catholicism from Bolshevism, and argued that the relations between Russia and Germany were merely economic, having been necessitated by Britain, which was the source of the whole European crisis. Much is being made of the Rome talks .in Germany, and General Goering’s newspaper goes a good deal further than the Rome communique, lhe comment of this newspaper, which was broadcast through all the German stations, referred to the great cordiality which marked the talks. It was stated that the talks had shown that the future would be decided by these young nations which held the law of action in their hands. The newspaper also said that the future policy of Italy and Germany was discussed, and spoke of “this new sign, of German-Italian comradeship. The Rome radio broadcast again t6‘ night that no sudden change in the attitude of the Italian Government is w be expected as a result, of Herr von Ribbentrop’s visit. The trend of Ger-man-Italian relations and obligations remains unchanged. The statement was repeated twice by the announcor. Nothing has been revealed in Rome or Berlin about the subjects discussed at the interview. The “Osservatore Romano,’ dealing with Herr von Ribbentrop's visit to the Pope, says that the audience was granted because of the request of the German Ambassador to the Holy See. The Italian Press has little to say about Herr von Ribbentrop’s visit, regarding it as being a routine affair. ITALIAN REALITIES MADE KNOWN TO RIBBENTROP. ROME, March 12. Now that Herr von Ribbentrop is returning to Berlin official circles have let it be known that Signor Mussolini told him that Italy has not wanted a war again for any cause but Italy’s. “11 Messagero” declares: “Just as the situation created by the European conflict is materially unaltered so Italy's position is unchanged.” “H Telegrafo,” commenting on reports that Herr, von Ribbentrop might have attempted to sway Italian opinion says: “It is not possible to influence Italy. Il Duce, when he considers changing Italy's attitude, will do so on the basis of his own valuation of the events. Our illustrious guest is aware of this reality.”

Dr. Clodius, who accompanied Herr von Ribbentrop, has remained. It is believed there arc other trade problems besides maintenance of lhe German coal exports awaiting settlement.