A MEETING

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1940, Page 5

A MEETING

AT BRENNER PASS

OF HITLER 'AND MUSSOLINI.

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

LONDON, March 18

A report from Brenner states that Signor Mussolini’s special train arrived at that little border village on the Brenner Pass, where Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler have met.

The train consisted of eight coaches, drawn by two engines. ,

Talks between Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler are scheduled to begin at <9.45 a.m. in one of the coaches, which is fitted out as an office.' The talks will be conducted, while; the train is standing at the .station,, which is decorated with the Fascist-..and the Swastika flags. .The station platform is red carpeted.

NEWS. IN GERMANY

BERLIN, March 18.

The morning newspapers here pub-, .]ish'an official communique recording the meeting of Hprr Hitler and Signor Mussolini, under huge headlines. No comment is published with the news.

NEW YORK PAPER’S ESTIMATE.

NEW YORK, March 18

The New York “Herald-Tribune,” in an editorial,, says: “Confusing on the Allies’ side, coinciding with the visit of Mr Sumner Welles in Europe,' may hAve given the totalitarians an opportunity that they may .have been waiting for in a war of nerves. If a clamour for action should force the Allies into hasty and ill-judged action, it would represent a cheaper victory for Herr Hitler than that obtainable by an offensive in the field. It adds: “Perhaps the Balkan problem will be the only issue at the Brenper conference. Perhaps a striking peace offer will be forthcoming, one timed to jolt the Allied nerves,; and to confuse American •. opinion. Every advantage lies with the dictators in, such swift manoeuvring. Only fundamentals of conscience and - strength, coming from freedom, will voice the fight on tlie side of the democracies-: May there'be'no misconception of the, issue in this country !”

EUROPEAN PRESS OPINI ON

LONDON, March 18.

The general tone, of the Press of the non-totalitarian countries places little faith and confidence in any German--1 tali an peace move, owing to there beings a wide divergence in the Allied and German viewpoints.

f' GERMAN REPORT. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) BERLIN. March 'lB. 'Reporting Hitler’s arrival at Biennero the German News Agency says : - “The two leaders have met in order to discuss questions concerning both countries, and arising from the tact that Germany to-day is at war with western plutocracies, while Italy, by no means neutral, but, non-belligerent, is also fighting for the rights of young nations.”

CONFER FOR HOURS. (Received this day at 10.35 a.m.) V, ‘ LONDON, March 18. On arrival at Brennero, Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler immediately conferred alone in one of the coaches fitted out as an office. A Rome wireless says the conference lasted for two-and-half hours. It was held in a cordial spirit. The blinds of. the coach were drawn to ensure complete privacy. Herr Von Ribbentrop and Count Ciario talked in an adjoining coach. At 1 p m. Hitler’s train left for Berlin, and Mussolini departed for Rome a quarter of an hour later. The official wireless says Count Ciano and Hwr Von Ribbentrop were present at the conference.