RECENT SPLIT IN ROME

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 119, 13 February 1941, Page 7

RECENT SPLIT IN ROME

Story Of Peace Move ACTION BY DUCE DISCOUNTED Journey By Franco (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received February 12, 9.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 11. The Athens radio states that dissident members of the Fascist Party secretly met in Rome on January 15 and resolved to send Count Grandi to London to sue for peace in the name of the Italian people. The police made many arrests and severely punished some of tne participants. The Greek announcer added: “The news comes from an unimpeachable source. Signor Ansaldo (the Italian publicist) was aware of the proceedings.” [Count Grandi was the Ambassador to London who was replaced several months before Italy entered the war.] A correspondent of the Columbia broadcasting system (New York), Mr. Courtney’ Terrett, cabled today' from Vichy: “British-Italian peace negotiations will start on the Riviera on Wednesday. Well-informed circles in London discredit the Terrett story.

[An earlier message stated: According to a Vichy source a meeting is possibly to be held on the Riviera between Marshal Petain and the Spanish chief and Foreign Minister, General Franco and Senor Suner. According to liable reports reaching London. General Franco and Senor Suner have left Madrid for France en route to Italy, where, it is stated, they will meet Signor Mussolini. Marshal Petain has left Vichy for Villeneuve-Loubet, near Cannes on the Riviera, for a few days’ rest.]

A message from Zurich tonight says it is reliably stated that General Franco is expected to oppose any proposals that Spain should enter the war, on the grounds of her economic situation.