Axis Riding High

Evening Star, Issue 25577, 1 September 1945, Page 9

Axis Riding High

Clouds Gather Over Poland

Ciano’s Diary

RIBBENTROP BRINGS BACK reMSi Gossip About Hitler's Girl Friend '"'■'■',' • BRITISH ENVOY SNUBBED This is the fourth exclusive article to the ' Star' in the series based'on revelations of Count Ciano's diary. It records the signing'of the'"alliance with Germany and the increasing strain on Italy's ties with Great Britain, all covering the period April 15June 1, 1939. Count Ciano, Mussolini's son-in-law, brought home a new alliance from Berlin in May, 1939, and some fresh gossip in his notebook about a beautiful bedroom companion of Hitler, and of Goering in tears because Rihbentrop had been awarded Italy's highest decoration with a silver collar of loveknots and roses. The diaries for the period immediately after the successful blow against Albania begin with a snubbed peace appeal from President Roosevelt, and end with an interview between Mussolini and the British Ambassador on such an arrogant note that Sir Percy Loraine literally " talked to himself " all the way home. The Axis was riding high.

Ciano writes : April 15.—" Roosevelt has sent a message proposing 10 years of peace. II Duce, at first, refused to read it. Then he described it ■ as the ' result of progressive paralysis.' " April 16.—" Two long conversations with Goering (who arrived April 14). . ■ . The feature that disturbs me most is the tone in which he describes relations with Poland. It reminds me immensely of that used for Austria and Czecho-Slovakia. April 20.—" After II Duce's aggressive speech about Roosevelt's message, I accompanied him to Palazzo Venezi and showed him a grave report from Attolico '■- (Ambassador # to Berlin), which announced imminent German action against Poland. This would mean war. . . . We must be able to

prepare ourselves, and ,we must prepare public opiniou eo it will not be surprised. ... " My impression of Czaky (Hungarian Foreign Minister) is more and more negative. In an off-hand way todav he declared his conviction that Hitler is crazy. He based this on watching the Fuhrer's eyes, and on the absurdities he spoke. . . ... - . April 24.—" The Minister from Holland, a good and reserved man ... says he is alarmed about what is happening in Europe, and about what people say is still, to occur. Certain officers have told him that we and the Germans have decided to divide all Europe between us. Holland would belong to Germany. .1 answer him jokingly, and then I reported the conversation to 'II Duce, who was vastly amused. . April 23.—" The Fuhrer has delivered'a speech. . . .Brevity is not his" primary-trait. The speech ifi less warmongering than one might have supposed. .'•< .i No nation wants war today. .... T ask myself seriously whether a German move againstPoland might not lend to a new Monaco (tiny Italiau border State), in spite 'df~ the declarations and" mutual guarantees. ... The Anglo-Soviet Alliance seems now to be a concrete and established fact." GIANO DOUBTS ITALIAN ARMY April 29.—" I do not have exact information about the army. (Italian), hut the many rumours I hear are pessimistic. ... They, multiply the number of divisions, but these are. actually so small as to have little more than the strength of a regiment. The ammunition depots are unstocked. Artillery is outmoded, pur anti-aircraft and antitank weapons don't exist. There has'TJeen a good deal of bluffing in t'fie military line, and oven 11 Duce liasßeen ■deceived. It is a tragic bluff." -.:*•!■■"■'" '.'' '"' May. 3.—" I received Sir Percy Loraine", 'the;new British Ambassador . ~ . who is naturally timid. . . . Rome is a difficult post.- . . . Lord Perth (retiring Ambassador) lias adapted himself so as ,to-. become one of our men. Will Loraine do the same? That is possible." Mav 6.—" Milan's welcome to von Ribbentrop effectively dispels the legend .'. • that North Italy i.s deeply anti-German. . ' " The alliance—or rather, its immediate announcement—was decided upon after dinner at the Continental, Saturday evening, following a telephone call from II Duce. . . . Hitler (by telephone) gave his immediate < approval, and collaborated (personally in writing the agreement." May 9.—" Conversation with Shiratori (Jap. Ambassador), who was much impressed by our alliance with Berlin. I hope Tokio will wake up. in time to join. I don't believe it will." May 12. —" There was a bit of a storm in the intellectual quarters, of Albania, which explains why 20 or so persons will be sent immediately to concentration camp. . . . Justice and

power must be the characteristics of the new regime. The public works go ahead well. All the roads are planned to lead, to the Greek border. This was ordered,by .11 Duce, who is thinking move and more of attacking Greece at the first .opportunity (the attack did not come until October 26, 1940)." May 21.—" I arrive in Berlin. There are great demonstrations, clearly spontaneous. My first discussion is with Bibbentrop. Nothing has changed that was decided in Milan. He repeats Germany's interest and desire for a long period of peace, at least three years; He insists on the importance of binding Japan to our' system. He maintains that Russia is too weak to give much assistance to the western democracies, even if she should take her stand with them. ... "

" We repeat our discussion, more or less, with the Fuhrer. He says he is well satisfied with the pact, and affirms that Mediterranean policy will be directed- by Italy. He is interested in Albania, and is enthusiastic about our programme to make it a stronghold that will dominate the Balkans completely.

HITLER BORING-HIS LOVELY GIRL FRIEND '"•T found Hitler very well, quite serene, less aggressive, somewhat aged.. His eyes are more deeply wrinkled. He sleeps very little. Constantly less. He spends a great part of the night surrounded by friends and collaborators. " Frau Uoebbels, who is a constant member of these gatherings, and who feels quite honoured, was' describing them, but was unable to conceal a feeling of boredom. It is'always Hitler who speaks. So it is to be a fuhrer, having always to repeat and bore the listeners. " For the first time 1 hear mention among inner circles of the Fuhrer's tender feelings for a lovely girl. She is 20 yeais old, with beautiful, quiet eyes, regular features, and a magnificent body. Her name is Sigrid von

Lnppus. They are with one another frequently, even in bed. " The ceremony for signing the pact was very solemn and the Fuhrer was moved sincerely. " Goering, whose position remains high, but is not now ascending, had tears in his eyes when he saw the Collar of the Annunziata (Italy's highest order) around the neck of Ribbentrop. Von Mackensen told me that Goering made a scene, complaining.that the collar belonged to him, because he was the real promoter of the alliance. I promised Mackensen I would try to get one for Goering. " Himmler talked at length about relations with the Church. They like the new Pope, and believe that an understanding is', possible. I encouraged him along these lines. . ." 'May 24.—" All the high Fascist officials and a considerable crowd welcome me on my arrival (in Rome). 1 have the honest .-impression, however, that the pact is more popular in Germany than it is in Italy. . .-.Hatred of France has not yet aroused love for Germany. . . . " May 25. —" The King jibed at the Germans. 'As long as they need us the Germans will be courteous, even humble, but at the first opportunity they will reveal themselves as the great rascals they really are.' . . . A long conference with II Duce .... He attacks the monarchy, and says, ' I envy Hitler, who need not drag along with him so many empty baggage cars.' " BRITISH ENVOY INSULTED May 27.—" This is a crucial day in our relations with Great Britain. 11

[The fifth instalment shows Mussolini indifferent to warnings that Italy faces bankruptcy. Alternate periods of relaxation and tension mark the summer of 1939. II Duce discloses that, if England is ready to fight for Poland Italy will fight on behalf of Germany.]

Duce received Percy Loraine to present his credentials, but the visit assumed an entirely different character. II Duce, ordinarily courteous and engaging, was very stern; his face . . . was like the face of an Oriental god, carved in stone. " 11 Duce asked whether the agreement of April 16 (1938) had any value left in view of the transparent policy of encirclement pursued by Great Britain. " Percy Loraine was not expecting the blow. He blushed and struggled for words. . . His strongest argument had to do with the attitude maintained by the British during the Albanian crisis. . . . "11 Duce countered harshly. He accused British policy of plunging Europe into war by her guarantees to the small Powers. . . . Agreement between the Germans and Poles could have been reached had Britain not interfered. Loraine spoke more strongly. ... II Duce made a brief and cutting reference to the Anglo-Russian alliance, and then the conversation was ended abruptly. . . . His departure was icy. " The chief of protocol, who accompanied the British Ambassador to his residence, said, ' Loraine was flushed and bothered by a nervous tic. He looked like a man who had been slapped in the face. He talked with himself all the way.' "In my opinion the BritishItalian agreement is dead. Perhaps Chamberlain will die with it." May 30.—" I gave von Mackensen some documents supplied by our secret service, which prove that the AngloTurk accord is a genuine offensive alliance against the Axis, and information about the heated conference between Loraine and II Duce."