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No. 30,983
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1940
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BUTTER
Welles To See Mussolini After Brenner Meeting
WILL
HITLER
MODIFY TERMS?
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL "')"
PARIS, TO-DAY. MR. SUMNER WELLES WILL NOT LEAVE ITALY UNTIL HE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A FURTHER INTERVIEW WITH SIGNOR MUSSO, LINI FOLLOWING TO-DAY'S CONFERENCE BE- TWEEN IL DUCE AND HITLER AT THE BREN- NER PASS, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITATIVE QUARTERS.
He still expects, however, to be able to leave in the
Conte di Savoia on Wednesday at noon. There seems little reason to doubt, moreover, that Hitler's anxiety for a personal discussion with Signor Musso- lini is in connection with his desire to secure the full- est Italian support for a Spring peace offensive. Knowing the Allies' determination
to fight until the realisation of their war aims, Mussolini was cool to' all suggestions by Ribbentrop that he should participate in any peace cam- paign, except in the event that the initiative was taken by the United States.
Suggestions have been made, but naturally lack positive affirmation, that as a result of the conversations between Mr. Sumner Welles and
able at Duce, the latter may be
"LAST CHANCE OF PEACE'
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
7
Brenner to hold this out to Hitler as a possibility.
many
GERMAN PLAN According to another view, Ger- is planning the exertion of strong peace pressure simultaneously. by Germany, Italy and Russia, and that as a prerequisite, Hitler is seek- ing to bring Russia and Italy closer together.
Fascist quarters state, however, the Italian Ambassador is not that returning to Moscow, and that Stalin will have to make a striking gesture to remove Italian antipathy.
It is recalled that upon the com- pletion of the German invasion of Po- land, Hitler invited, Count Clano to Berlin, and insisted that Italy should start forthwith a peace offensive, but Italy refused, whereupon Hitler him- self announced that he was ready to conclude peace provided he was per- mitted to keep his spoils.
Hitler now hopes that 'Italy will give a promise of mediatory initiative which she refused six months ago.
LONDON'S GUES8-
Amsterdam, To-day. Opinion in well-informed
In London, too, general opinion is quarters here is that the
that the Hitler-Mussolini meeting is meeting between Hitler and connected with a peace attempt since Mussolini was arranged en-reliable indications are that Ribben- trop dealt with this attempt during tirely as a result of German his recent visit to Rome. initiative.
It is felt in Nazi quarters that this meeting will provide the "last chance of peace," through the threat of а very close alliance of all the Dicta- torships, including Russia.
London balleves that Mussolini conveyed the German peace termi to Mr. Sumner Welles on Saturday evening and was Informed that, in American As- the opinion of the alstant Secretary of State, it would of time to announce be a waste the
them.
A recent article, attributed-to State Counsellor, Dr. Schmidt,', pu-
measures...
blished in the review “Rome-Berlin- It is thought that the decision of a Tokyo," stated: The Allied threats direct talk between Hitler and Musso- against neutrals justify all preventive inl was reached after the Mussolini-
Welles talk on Saturday.
German-Italian economic co-opera- Dr. Schmidt added that the Gertion and the future of South-East man Italian Alliance should havo
Europe may also be discussed. — unlimited action at any moment end
Havas. might also become the starting-point of similar action by Russia, Dutch quarters also anticipâte diplo- matic action by Germany and Italy on a wide scale in the Balkans, including a Russian guarantee of the Rumanian frontiers and a general stabilisation of the relations of all members of the Balkan Intente under German patron. age,--Haves,
“Postpone. Blitzkrieg"
Rome,"To-day;
it fa utatad in Italian: oirales, har that Signor Musso -may-tir
-pompons am
mpt blitzkrieg until all efforts to pesciful solution ««prove, unauodegaful.
POPE TO MAKE PEACE APPEAL?
Rome, To-day,
It is reported here that Pope Pius XII will make a fresh peace appeal to the world before East-
or.
Ho la expected to draft the ap- peal after his meeting with Mr. Sumner. Welles to-day.
There je no official confirma. tion. Router.
PASSIKIVI ON WAY TO MOSCOW
Helsinki, To-day.
M. Passikivi is going to Moscow to settle outstanding questions, including the exact delimitation of the frontiers, the opening of trade talks provided in the treaty, and the of economic relations.-Reuter.
restablishment
RIBBENTROP OFFER TO ITALY
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL") LONDON, TO-DAY.
IF RIBBENTROP TRIED DURING HIS ROME VISIT TO FIX UP AN ACCORD WHEREBY ITALY JOIN- ED THE RUSSIAN-GERMAN AXIS, HE FAILED, IN THE OPINION OF THE SUNDAY PRESS.
If he discussed stabilising conditions in the Balkans he will have had a kinder reception.
It is thought that he proposed d carving-up of Central Europe, where- by the Balkan states would go to Russia, Rumania would go to Ger- many and Yugoslavia to Italy.
There is reason to believe that Italy is not ready to take part in any such arrangement-Hayas.
PASSIVE DEFENCE IN TURKEY
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") Ankara, To-day.
the Admiral Mouren, of
French Navy, has arrived here at the invita- WEATHER FORECAST:North-East tion of the Turkish Government to
winds, fresh; cloudy generally, study questions of passive defence.
occasional rain.
Havas.
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