PEACE TALK

Grey River Argus, 20 February 1943, Page 5

PEACE TALK

U.S,A. INITIATIVE To Isolate Germany NEW YORK. Feb. IS. The Washington correspondent of the New York “Herald-Tribune” says: A co-ordinated American move is apparently under way to drive Italy from the war, and ensure the neutrality of Spain and Portugal. The strategy entails gaining freedom of action against Germany in the Mediterranean theatre and Italy’s abandonment of tne Axis, or failing this, neutralising the Iberian Peninsula, and thus protecting the Allies’ flank in North Africa. . “Events indicating the progress of these aims include: Firstly, Mr Elmer Davis’s admission that Italy was aiming peace feelers at Britain and America. Secondly, a voyage of the New York Archbishop, Most Rev. Francis Spellman, to the Vatican, via Madrid, where he conferred with General Franco. Archbishop Spellman saw President Roosevelt before his departure' from the United States. He will have an opportunity to talk with the Axis representatives at the Holy See. Thirdly, the forthcoming meeting between General Franco and Mr Salazar (President of Portugal), to sign th e Iberian Neutrality Bloc Pact th e impending arrival at Washington of General Juan Beigbader, a member of the Spanish General Staff.”