Dictators Confer At Brenner Pass

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 237, 5 October 1940, Page 9

Dictators Confer At Brenner Pass

NEW AXIS MOVES

Believed Outcome Of Nazi Invasion Failure

(Lnited Press Association.—Copyright.— Rec. 1 p.m.!

LONDON, October 4

An official Berlin message states that Hitler met Mussolini at noon at the Brenner Pass, when talks were started in the Duces train, lhe talks ended after 2 hours 40 minutes.

A communique states: Within the framework of a routine exchange of views, the Duce and the Fuehrer held a cordial meeting, conducted in the spirit of the Axis. The leaders, in the presence of Ciano and Ribbentrop, Italian and German Foreign Ministers, studied all the problems of interest to the two 'countries. General Keitel, German Army Commander, 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 the trains in which Mussolini and Hitler conferred were heaivily armoured. Fighter planes patrolled overhead.

Discussed Plans For Long War.

The newspaper Popolo di Roma says 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. It adds that Britain is worried because time is working against her, not for her. Consequently Italy and Germany do not fear a long war.

The version of the Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says "Popolo di Roma" talked of the failure of the German plans to invade Britain, in consequence of which Italy and Germany had lost the possibility of a short war.

Berlin reports state that the authorities there are most reticent regarding the meeting, and have expressed indignation that the meeting was revealed prematurely. TTiey said the movements of the Fuehrer were a military secret and threatened to invoke the espionage laws, "which apply to foreign journalists and similarly to others." Will Pope Be Approached? A Stockholm report says the Berlin correspondent of the "Svenska Dagbladet" states that the Brenner Pass meeting is reported to have been called to discuss the advisability of supporting a peace move with the Pope as intermediary.

Foreign circles in Rome have been informed that General Graziani, commander of the Italian forces in North Africa, has returned to Rome to consult with Mussolini regarding the Axis plans.

The Rome radio stated that Hitler arid Mussolini discussed the military and political l ! programme of the war, which has reached a decisive stage. It said: 'The world will soon see the outcome, but definitely there has been no plotting against any nation not involved. The meeting is a historic moment of vast importance. The leaders have not fixed the date of victory, but the two nations will achieve this whenever and wherever the decision comes."