VON RIBBENTROP AT ROME

Grey River Argus, 13 March 1940, Page 7

VON RIBBENTROP AT ROME

Interviews the Pope [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn J ROME, March 11. Herr Von Ribbentrop, accompanied by the German Minister to the Holy See, arrived at the Vatican at 10.50 a.m. He was received with traditional ceremony, and was taken to the Pope’s private library for an interview which lasted 20, to 25 minutes, after which Herr Von Ribbentrop visited Cardinal Maglione. LONDON, March 11. Herr Von Ribbentrop had a busy ■ morning in Rome. He was first received by King Victor Emmanuel, and a little before 11 a.m. he arrived at the Vatican City for his interview with the Pope, after which he saw Cardinal Maglione, Papal Secretary of State. Later to-day Herr Von Rib- ' bentrop will have his second talk with Signor Mussolini. Herr Von Ribbentrop’s visit is treated by the Italian Press as a I routine matter, chief place being given to the coal agreement with Britain. The Rome correspondent of the “New York Times” describes the coal agreement as having cut the ground from under Herr Von Ribbentrop s feet. The agreement is regarded as a diplomatic victory for the Allies. ITALY’S ATTITUDE No Alteration FROM VON RIBBENTROP’S VISIT. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received March 12, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 12. The Rome Radio stated that Herr ' Von Ribbentrop’s visit to Rome has not changed the Italian attitude in regard to the war, which remains as it was defined by the Fascist Grand Council on December Bth, and by Count Ciano (Foreign Minister) on December 16th. ITALIAN COMMUNIQUE ROME, March 11. An Italian communique merely recorded that Herr Von Ribbentrop, in the presence of Count Ciano and Herr Von Mackensen, cordially talked with the Duce, for 90 minutes, regarding the international situation, the talk being in the spirit of the framework of the German-Italian Pact, alliance, and existing agreements. , ... LONDON, March 11.

Italian papers emphasise Italy’s determination to maintain a non-bellig-erent attitude, and one journal’ states that Herr Von Ribbentrop knows better than to ask Signor Mussolini to depart from non-belligerency.

• OBJECT OF VISIT British Estimate EYE TO GENERAL SETTLEMENT. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, March 12. Evidence that Herr Von Ribbentrop’s visit to Rome primarily aimed at the initiation of a new peace offensive is contained in a “Times” Rome correspondent’s report of an “accurate summary from a trustworthy 'source” of Von Ribbentrop’s conversations with the Pope and Cardinal Maglione. He did not submit a cut and dried plan to the Pope, but emphasised that Germany had not wanted war, and inquired whether the Pope would support a peace plan initiated in Germany or a friendly State. The Pope replied, .referring to the Catholics ill-treated in Poland and Czechoslovakia, and declared that support would be dependent if e peace plans conformed with the Papal Christmas allocution at the College of Cardinals on December 24. Herr Von Ribbentrop attempted to secure a cessation of the Vatican broadcasts on th e atrocities but the Pope replied that the broadcasts would continue as long as the atrocities were perpetrated. Herr Von Ribbentrop claimed that Nazism saved mot only Germany, but also c » thol °; cism from Bolshevism. He argued thaT Russian-German relations were merely economic, necessitated by Britain, which was the source of the whole European crisis.

ITALY’S POSITION

No Change MUSSOLINI FOR PEACE. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received March 13, 1.40 a.m.) ROME, March 12. Now that Herr Von Ribbentrop is returning to Berlin official circles have let it be known that Signor Mussolini told him that Italy as not wanted to go to war again tor any cause but Italy’s cause. The paper “11 Messagero” declares: Just as the situation created by the European conflict remains materially unaltered, so does Italy’s position remain unchanged. The paper “11 Telegrafo,” commenting on reports that Herr Ribbentrop might have attempted to sway Italian opinion, says: It is not possible to influence Italy. H Duce, when he considered any changing of Italy’s attitude, will do so on the basis of his (Il Duce’s) own valuation of events. Our illustrious guest, Herr Von Ribbentrop, has been aware of this reality.” HELP FOR FINLAND. ITALIAN FORECAST. (Received March 12, 7.30 p.m.i LONDON, March 12. The Rome Radio, commenting on the negotiations between Russia and Finland, says: “If a solution is not possible, Finland will not ‘find herself fighting alone.”