MR CHAMBERLAIN FOB ROME

Press, Issue 22599, 3 January 1939, Page 11

MR CHAMBERLAIN FOB ROME

PROGRAMME FOR VISIT THIS MONTH

MUSSOLINI’S ANXIETY ABOUT SPAIN

(USITZO FBEBS ASSOCIATION —C07TB10BT.)

(Received January 3, 2.5 a.m.)

ROME, January 2.

Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax, according to the official programme for their Visit, will arrive by a special train in the afternoon of January 11. They will stay at the Villa Madama, on Monte Mario, frequently used for the entertainment of distinguished guests. They Will Visit Signor Mussolini at the Palazzo Venezia and will be II Duce’s guests at a banquet on the evening of January 12. They will place wreaths on the tombs of King Humbert and Queen Margherita, and after luncheon with the King of Italy they will watch a yoUng Fascists’ training display. On January 13 they will have an audience with the Pope, attend a reception by the Governor of Rome, and a banquet at the British Embassy in the evening. On January 15 they will leave for home.

“The Times” states; “The programme will enable ample opportunity for meetings with Signor Mussolini, Which will presumably be arranged as the discussions develop. It is certain that the Spanish problem will figure largely in the conversations, and will be Specially interesting in View of the tenacity of the Republican defence. “Signor Mussolini is undoubtedly anxious, in view of the continuous drain Oh Italian resources of the Spanish war, which is threatening to exceed the expenditure oft Abyssinia. Casualties ift Italy have already exceeded the casualties in Abyssinia. “Italy’s reinforcements certainly have recently been negligible, and supplies of-material have been reduced, in the interests of economy and foreign policy; but in view of the absence of likelihood that Britain will grant General Franco belligerent rights, Signor Mussolini must soon decide Whether to cut his losses in a struggle in which the result is doubtful and the Italians are uninterested. •

“The unification of the German race has not exhausted Herr Hitler’s ambitions, While Signor Mussolini has shown that Fascism is not the satisfied power he once described it as belhg.”