AS PERCEIVED IN ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1940, Page 5

AS PERCEIVED IN ITALY

Rome Radio Rebuffs the Nazis COMMENT ON BRENNERO MEETING FREEDOM OF POLICY AND ACTION CLAIMED (By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright? LONDON, March 19. The Home radio in an English broadcast hist night gave the first Italian comment on the Brem.iero meeting between Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler. “It is absurd J'or Nazi Germany to deceive herself into thinking that she can infiimhce Italy’s freedom of policy or action’’ it. stated. Later the Home radio, referring to foreign reports in connection with the meeting and with the European mission of the American Under-Secretary of State (l\lr Sumner Welles) said: “It is only natural that there should he rumours about a concrete peace, initiative, because of the general desire for a return to normal conditions; but a. mere cessation of hostilities would not. lie enough to create peace. There are numerous problems which must, be solved. “Gue thing is certain: the Dime, more than any other European statesman, represents the determination of a. Europe that does not. waul, io die. lie also represents a Government, which, while ready for war, yet sees in the defence of peace an objective as great as warlike preparations.”