Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, MAR. 20, 1940. THE DICTATORS MEET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 95, 20 March 1940, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, MAR. 20, 1940. THE DICTATORS MEET.

At a little village near tlie Brenner Pass the dictators of Germany and Italy met in secret consultation. What intrigue Hitler sought the Duce’s help in fashioning is a matter of conjecture, but it may be reasoned that matters of supreme moment to Germany which Have become more urgent in recent days inspired the conference of little more than two hours, in which no doubt not a word was wasted. Ever since Hitler decided to launch his offensive against the Poles, once his agreement with Stalin had been sealed, the Rome-Berlin Axis has been sadly dented for Germany. His fellow dictator in the south has preferred non-belligerency to war without justification, and is closely watching events in the Balkans. Movements in Europe of late have attracted the keenest interest in the Chancelleries, and may be combined with speeches from both sides of the Atlantic. A few days ago von llibbentrop went to Rome, in the view of commentators to seek support for a Nazi peace drive on Hitler’s terms and to reconcile the axis with the Ger-man-Russian alliance. The common belief is that he failed miserably. More recently Mr Sumner Welles, Mr Roosevelt’s envoy to make a survey of the European situation, has visited the European capitals, obtained the necessary audiences, and learned whatever it has been expedient to tell him. Opinion is that he left the German Chancellery disturbed in thought, and no doubt his subsequent visit to London and Paris brought home to him most forcibly the realisation that the Allies are determined to see the war through to victory. Their steel will is frankly not relished by Hitler, who must lack vision indeed if he cannot perceive a devastating war, Germany cut off from imports and exports by sea, and living meagrely on her own production, supplemented by what neutrals can supply through their own countries, until the final crash comes. A peace on his terms would no doubt be most acceptable to Hitler. Italy, however, through the Rome radio has told Nazi Germany not to deceive herself into thinking she can influence Italy s freedom of policy or action. In other words Italy refuses to be drawn at the chariot wheel of Hitlerism. Hitler’s idea of a European peace is illustrated in the statement published to-day. Mostly it is a negation of everything the Allies are fighting for. Eurthermore, the Duce must be suspicious of his fellow dictator’s relations with the Balkan States in so far as they affect Italian interests. There is no room for both Italy and Russia there, and

Hitler has the hardest of tasks to satisfy Signor Mussolini that the conspiracy with Russia does not bear upon the Balkan situation to Italy’s detriment. He cannot because Signor Mussolini has a much shrewder knowledge of the Balkans than Hitler. There is reason to believe that the Fuehrer is in a serious tangle, in which his meagre knowledge of diplomacy has landed him. The true basis upon which world peace must be established has been stated by Mr Roosevelt, who thoroughly condemns the Nazi policy which is at enmity with the President’s ideals. In the words of the Yorkshire Post, it puts an end to all rumours that the outcome of Mr AVelles’s tour would be a German offensive backed by the Hnited States, and it is crystal clear Mr Roosevelt lias no such intention of lending his authority to any such dubious intrigues. There can. be no false peace with the present rulers of Germany. Hitler stands condemned for aggression, lacking world help except Russia’s, and the sword cannot be sheathed until Nazism is destroyed. This realisation is a spur to him to try to preserve what remains if he can.