AMERICA’S ENVOY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 134, 18 March 1940, Page 5

AMERICA’S ENVOY.

SPECULATION AGAIN RIFE. ROME, March 16. King Victor Emmanuel received the United States Envoy (Mr Sumner Welles). Their conversation lasted 45 minutes, afer which Mr Welles and the United States Ambassador (Mr William Phillips) went to the Foreign Office to see the Foreign Minister (Count Ciano). The German Ambassador (Hen/ von Mackensen) arrived 10 minutes later. He remained only 10-’ minutes and left by a side door. Observers surmised, that he was the hearer of an urgent message for Count Ciano. Mr Welles sent by telegram to London a message of appreciation to Their ■ Majesties for his reception, and also to Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax, thanking them for the courtesies extended to him and the opportunity of conferring, with members of the British Government. Mr. Chamberlain replied: “It has given great satisfaction to my colleagues and myself to have an opportunity for conversations.’ 1 Lord Halifax replied similarly. Mr Welles will meet the Pope tomorrow. He may see tho British, French, and German Ambassadors before liis departure op March 30. *' A British Official Wireless message says that news reports suggest that Mr Welles’s second visit to Rome has been made the occasion for a fresh outburst of speculation. The press of sov-‘ oral 'neutral capitals is once again canvassing. the possibility of peace proposals either put forward in good faith from some high source or inspired from .Nazi sources. These rumours are not > given much prominence in British newspapers, which appear to regard them as haying very little foundation. From London, Mr Welles’s pUrposo always seemed to be exactly what Mr. * Roosevelt and Mr Welles himself said it was—to European situation at. first hand and provide tho President with a report. In Britain Mr Welles had the opportunity of discussion with tho representatives of every shade of opinion, including Mr James •Maxton, M.P., one of the very small minority ppposed to the policy of prosecuting the war to a successful conclusion. But in Germany <Mr Welles was not so fortunate. * - •None of the leaders of German minority opinion who still survive, in Nazi concentration gamps was released to megst him so that he could give ! Mr Roosevelt a comprehensive account of Germany’s mind in the-seventh month of. the war into which Hefr Hitler has led his country. The resulting hiatus in Mr Welles’g report, however, is not likely to be forgotten either by Mr Roosevelt or Mr Welles. Mr Welles’s presence in Romo is not in tlie view of shrewd British observers, a reason for anticipating peace proposals, but rather the Contrary,