“AXIS SPIRIT”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 308, 5 October 1940, Page 5

“AXIS SPIRIT”

AT THE BRENNER PASS. HITLER MEETS MUSSOLINI. BERLIN STILL RETICENT. (United Press Association-Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, October 4. Hitler and Mussolini ended their Brenner Pass talks after 160 minutes. A communique stated: “Within the framework of a routine exchange of views, the Duco and the Fuhrer mot for a cordial meeting conducted in the spirit of the Axis. The leaders, in flic presence of Count Ciano and Von Ribbentrop, studied all problems of interest to the two countries. General Keitel was present during the last part of the conversation. The talks were continued during luncheon, at which the Foreign Ministers were also present.”

A message from Rome says that the trains in which Mussolini and Hitler conferred were heavily armoured, and fighter planes patrolled overhead. The “Popolo di Roma” says that Mussolini and Hitler probably discussed a joint plan for a long war, and adds that no compromise is possible, as victory is the only aim of the Axis. Britain is worried because time was working against Britain and not for Britain. Consequently Italy and Germany do not fear a long war. The Associated Press version says the “Popolo di Roma” talked of the failure of the German plans to invade Britain, in consequence of which Italy and Germany have lost the possibility of a short war. Berlin authorities are most reticent regarding the meeting, and expressed indignation that the meeting was revealed prematurely. They said the Fuhrer’s movements were a military secret, and threatened to invoke the espionage laws, “which apply to foreign journalists and similarly to others.”