Pope Encourages Mr. Chamberlain In Quest Of Peace

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1939, Page 9

Pope Encourages Mr. Chamberlain In Quest Of Peace

(Received 2.30 p.m.) HOME, January 13. JJR CHAMBERLAIN LEAVES ROME TOMORROW AND IS EXPECTED TO REACH LONDON ON SUNDAY NIGHT. The ordinary weekly meetings of Cabinet will be resumed on Wednesday when ,Mr Chamberlain and Viscount Halifax will give their colleagues an account of their conversations in Rome, says a British Official Wireless message. Mr Chamberlain and Signor Mussolini met briefly to agtfee on the text of a formal communique regarding the conversation. It will be issued in Rome tomorrow. Official French circles are satisfied that the Rome conversations strikingly demonstrated Anglo-French solidarity, and consider the visit was useful in informing Mr Chamberlain exactly what Signor Mussolini’s aims are. It is thought that Italy, backed by Germany, will intensify the campaign against France in the coming week, probably increasing the international tension to crisis point.

Mr Chamberlain and Viscount Halifax spent, half an hour alone with the Pope, who, it is reported, encouraged Mr Chamberlain to continue his efforts for European peace, settlement of the Spanish question and assistance for Jewish refugees. It is understood Mr Chamberlain expressed satisfaction with the Rome talks and remarked that the Pope seemed in good health. The Vatican modified the usually strict etiquette requiring visitors to be in evening dress and permitted formal morning clothes. Final Phases of Visit. Lord Halifax received the French and American Ambassadors and outlined the subject matter of the talks. The social engagements of the British Ministers in Rome ended tonight with a banquet at the British Embassy, followed by ,a reception. Viscount Halifax will sit on the League of Nations’ Council on Monday, but at subsequent meetings Mr R. A. Butler, .Secretary for Foreign Affairs, will represent the United Kingdom.