DICTATORS MEETING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1940, Page 8

DICTATORS MEETING

NO SURPRISE IN LONDON

SEQUEL TO RIBBENTROP'S

FAILURE

MUSSOLINI’S GOOD REASONS

FOR CAUTION

(Bullish Official Wireless.)

(Received This Day,, 11.58 a.m.)

RUGBY, March 17.

No particular surprise was manifested in diplomatic and journalistic circles in London when it became known that Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler were to meet.’Many shrewd observers here believe that the failure of Herr von Ribbentrop's mission at the last weekend had made the meeting a foregone conclusion, and the fact that the meeting has occurred sooner rather than later, and before Mr Sumner Welles has actually left on his return to Washington, is felt slightly to increase, but not greatly to change its significance.

Whether Hitler will be more successful than von Ribbentrop in explaining the recent inconsistencies of German policy is doubted by most, and although diplomatic correspondents and political commentators express a variety of views, the prevailing opinion is that Hitler has nothing to offer which would induce Mussolini to abandon his carefully weighed policy of non-belli-gerenecy, or to compromise the chances which, to judge by articles in Italian newspapers ' supposed to have close contacts with official Italian sources, he still believes to exist of preventing the spread of hostilities before they reach a decisive phase. Mussolini will have an opportunity of learning Hitler's reflections upon President Roosevelt’s speech, yesterday, which attracts considerable attention hero. Signor Mussolini will also be in a position to tell Hitler of his latest conversations with Mr Welles after his London and Paris visits. There is no reason to suppose that Mr Welles's reticence will have been less baffling in Rome than in London. but even through his reserve Signor Mussolini is not likely not to have guessed something of the impression which it was confidently believed in London Mr Welles has derived of the determination of the Allies to achieve their war aims'. PLACE OF MEETING POSSIBLY THE BRENNER PASS. (Received This Day. 12.45 p.m.) ROME. March 17. Signor Mussolini boarded a special train in the direction of Milan. He may meet Herr Hitler at the Brenner Pass. An earlier message from Rome siaicd: It is confirmed that Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini are meeting tomorrow at a secret rendezvous near the Italian-German frontier. It is reliably learned from Berlin that Herr Hitler has already left. It is believed that he is accompanied by Herr von Ribbentrop. PRESIDENT’S SPEECH WELL RECEIVED IN BRITAIN. APPROVING PRESS COMMENT. t Received This Dav, 10.50 a.m.) RUGBY. March 17. President Roosevelt’s broadcast on the essential basis of the real peace which the world so badly needs is warmly welcomed by the British Press. The President’s insistence that no peace could be lasting if its fruits were oppression, starvation and cruelty and if the life of nations continued to be dominated by armed camps. so that small nations went in fear of powerful neighbours, is particularly noted as showing Mr Roosevelt’s firm grasp on the realities of the European situation. FLOOD OF RUMOURS MORE TALK OF PEACE OFFENSIVE. MR WELLES'S DEPARTURE DELAYED. (Received This Day. 1.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 17. Europe is again alive with speculative reports of a German peace offensive. All foreign observers agree that the Hitler-Mussolini meeting is definitely linked up with Mr Welles’s last conference with Signor Mussolini. It is persistently reported that Herr Hitler is asking Signor Mussolini again to submit the German peace plan to Mr Welles. Tb.e latter has already amended his itinerary and will remain in Rome a day longer, whereby lie would possibly see Signor Mussolini after his return from the Brenner Pass. The departure from Genoa of the Conte Di Savoia, aboard which Mr Welles is returning to America has been postponed indefinitely, presumably till Mr Welles is ready io embark.