AXIS LEADERS CONFER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 264, 5 October 1940, Page 7

AXIS LEADERS CONFER

BRENNER PASS MEETING KEEN SPECULATION AROUSED (United Press Association.—Copyright.—Rec. 9.55 a.m.) (British Official Wireless.) U , ; RUGBY, Oct. 4. Advance reports that Hitler and Mussolini intended to meet were described in Berlin yesterday as .an indiscretion, but this morning it was officially announced that the meeting would take place at noon. Later, it was stated that Hitler with General von Keitel (Chief of the Supreme Stab) met Mussolini at the Brenner Pass.

iv Unofficial reports state that Hitler, who passed through Munich last night in an armoured train, was preceded by von Itibbentrop, and that Count Ciano left Rome in advance of Mussolini to prepare for the meeting, which was the sequel to much diplomatic activity in the Axis countries. The talks were held ; in the Duce’s train. .

SPAIN’S FUTURE ROLE. The most advertised result of this activity was the signature of the Ger-man-ltalian-Japanese Pact. It was coincident with the visit to Berlin and Romo of Senor Suner (Spanisii Minister of the Interior) the prolongation of whose stay in Rome until to-mor-row, it has been somewhat ostentatiously stated, has nothing to do with pn.v political developments. 'There,is no indication of any intension by Spain to modify her policy of non-belligerence, and it is noted here jthat the Italian Press has now generally assumed that Spain’s • entry into the war as an armed participant is not (expected. American Press speculation as to the topics of the Brenner discussion Suggest that, in view of the failure of the invasion plans and the miscalculation of the results of the aerial bombardment of London, and the heavy losses suffered in the raids on Britain, , the dictators will explore the possibilities of an offensive in other (directions, including Egypt. "CORDIAL MEETING.” The talks ended after 2 hours, when a communique stated: "Within the framework of a routine exchange of views, the Duce and the Fuehrer met for a cordial meeting conducted in the spirit of the Axis. The: leaders, in the presence of Ciano and" Itibbentrop, studied all problems of interest to the two countries. General von Keitel was present during the last part of the conversation. "The talks were continued during the luncheon, at which the Foreign Ministers were also present.” A message from Rome says the trains in which Mussolini and Hitler; conferred were heavily armoured.Fighter planes patrolled overhead. A LONG AYAH.

The Popolo di Roma says Mussoliniand Hitler probably discussed a jointplan for a long war. It adds that no compromise is possible, as victory is the only aim ot the Axis. Britain is worried because time is working, against Britain and not for Britain, , consequently Italy and Germany don t- , fear.a long war.. , • . „ ■ . ’ The Associated Press version says the Popolo dilloma talked of tho failure of the German plans to invade Britain as a consequence of which Italy and Germany have lost the possibility of a short war. . The Berlin authorities are most reticent regarding the meeting and expressed indignation that the meeting was revealed prematurely, they said the Fuehrer’s movements were a ■military secret and threatened to invoke the espionage laws, "which apply to foreign journalists similarly to others. The 'limes correspondent on tnc JUlian frontier says well-informed circles in Rome state that the Spanish [Minister (Senor Suner) exhaustively discussed the possibility of allowing Italian and German troops free passage across Spain in order to attack Gibraltar. , • It is expected that Spain’s role in the conflict will be announced at the week-end. From Signor Gay da s comment it is assumed that Spain will an present remain iion-belligeient, t.houg she has obviously agreed to closer economic co-operation with the Axls %. Senor Suner saw Count Cianp (Italian Foreign Minister) J' est £rday, and had been expected to see Si o no Mussolini again, but this interview apparently never came off. ,\t New York General Jose Asensio, former AVar Minister of Republican Spain, urged the formation or an "army of free Spain” to join -Britain, fight Nazism, and re-establish the Spanish Republic. He urged the American Republics to unite against the Fifth Column. GRAZ lAN I IN ROME. ’ The Stockholm Svenska Dagbladet. s Berlin correspondent says the Brenner Pass meeting is reported to have been called to discuss the advisability o supporting a peace move with the i ope as intermediary. , , In Rome foreign circles have been informed that Marshal Graziam has returned from Africa to consult Mussolini regarding the Axis plans.