Axis Talks Concluded

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1940, Page 7

Axis Talks Concluded

MUNICH MEETING Decision By Duce And Hitler On' Peace Terms FRANCE FIGHTS ON (United Press Association.—Copyright.—Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June Iβ. The official German news agency at Munich announced that Htiler and Mussolini have agreed upon their attitude to the French request for an armistice. Their conference lasted four hours and ended at 8 p.m. local time. The Munich radio confirms that Hitler and II Duce came to an agreement regarding France's request for an armistice. Mussolini was accompanied by Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister, Signor Sebastianini, Chief of the Cabinet, Signor Muti, secretary-general of the Fascist party, and General Roatta, deputyChief of the General Staff. Von Ribbentrop and General Keitel accompanied Hitler. While Hitler, Mussolini, Ribbentrop and Ciano conferred behind sound-proof doors in Hitler's house, there were discussions in other rooms between Muti and the Foreign Office official Vivetti and Generals Roatta, Decastiglione, Perino, Bodenschatz, Keitel and Admiral Decourten, also between Alfieri and Mackensen, the Italian and Nazi Ambassadors. Well-informed circles in Berlin expressed the opinion that the conference would last two hours, after which Mussolini would go to Italy. A communique was expected to-night. Th e French radio announced that Marshal Petain Prime Minister issued an order of the day ordering all French and Allied forces on land, sea and in the air to continue to fight as long as the armistice' was not signed. , . French Cabinet met this morning under the presidency of Marshal Petain, says a Bordeaux message. A radio commentator said: "In all probability we will know very soon the conditions of peace." He added that the French Government was approaching Italy through the mediation of the r*apal Nuncio with a view to peace negotiations.