FLORENCE TALKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 October 1940, Page 5

FLORENCE TALKS

CONTINUED SECRECY REPORTS OF ITALO-FRENCH NEGOTIATIONS. ' USE OF BASES AGAINST BRITAIN. Nothing has yet been disclosed as to the subject or scope of the Hit-ler-Mussolini talks on Monday, the 8.8. C. reports. A Rome story declares that direct negotiations have been opened for peace between Italy and France, involving the use of French bases in the war against Britain. SILENT DICTATORS , APPEARANCE ON BALCONY J IN FLORENCE. LAVAL AND THE FRENCH . FOREIGN MINISTRY. ' (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, October 28. I It is reported from Florence that . Hitler and Mussolini and their staffs afterward went to the station through cheering crowds. Hitler and Ribben- : trop entrained for Berlin. Mussolini , and Ciano left in separate trains, Ciano . going to Rome. Mussolini’s destination • was not revealed. When news of the Italian ultimatum to Greece became known in Florence, crowds of Fascist blackshirts gathered in the square in the vicinity of the dictators’ meeting place. Hitler and Mussolini made two appearances on the balcony, but neither of them spoke. There is no official indication yet as to what the talks were about. The meeting of the dictators at Florence was the first since the Brenner Pass meeting. Earlier tonight an official communique said the discussions revealed complete identity of views on all questions of the hour. Ciano and Ribbentrop took part in this morning’s talks, but apparently General von Keitel, the German Chief of Staff, was not present. While today’s talks were going on in Florence, Rome sources were predicting that the dictators might have separate conferences later in the week with General Franco and either Marshal Petain or M. Laval. Vichy reports that M. Laval has already left for important discussions with the Germans at Paris, after replacing M. Baudouin as Foreign Minister in the Petain Government. He will remain in Paris till November 6. M. Baudouin's resignation was officially announced from Vichy today. He has been appointed a “Secretary of State, attached to the President of the Council,” and retains his Ministerial prerogatives. M. Laval takes over control of the radio services, and one of the first effects is a decree forbidding Frenchmen to listen to British broadcasts in public places. This decision was after a meeting of the Petain Cabinet and a Council of Ministers this morning. It was also announced that the Government has informed the Government of Tunisia that no change in the status of that colony is contemplated. VICHY DENIALS NO PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. WASHINGTON, October 28. The French Embassy announced that advices from the Government in Vichy state that it made no territorial concessions to Germany and Italy nor agreed to their use of French strategic bases. There was no foundation for the rumours about the peace negotiations. SUPPORT FOR BRITAIN INCREASING IN FRENCH ARMY AND CHURCH. ZURICH, October 28. “L’Action Francaise” complains that naval and other official circles in Toulon have organised public gatherings to listen in to the 8.8. C. All the restaurants in the Ariege and Savoie departments regularly turn on the 8.8. C. news.

Feeling against Marshal Petain and for Britain is reported to be increasing. especially in the Army and the Church.