Axis Conference As American Heard It

Northern Advocate, 26 December 1940, Page 6

Axis Conference As American Heard It

When Mussolini and Hitler and their Ministers met at the Brenner Pass at the end of September, H. I. Phillips reported for the "New York Sun” a conference as he imagined it. What he would say of a similar conferencetoday, in view of recent happenings, it would be interesting to read.

Mussolini —Well! Von Ribbenlrop—You took the word out of my mouth! , Mussolini —What explanation has Hitler to make to me?

Von Ribbenlrop—Explanation for what? Mussolini —He was to have licked England by August. I had his word for it.

Von Ribbenlrop—Everything in a war can’t be done according to schedule. Mussolini —This is a fine time to tell me!

Von Ribbentrop—Germany can't help it if the British fail to give up in accordance with our expectations. Their slowness in surrendering is very disturbing to Herr Hitler. Mussolini—lf it disturbs Hitler, what do you think it does to me? Von Ribbentrop—But there is nothing for us to worry about. Mussolini —Did you ever try standing for any length of time with one foot in the middle of the desert, one in the middle of the sea and the other foot in the middle of Europe? Von Ribbenti-op—You are giving yourself too many feet. Mussolini —Before I get through I may need ’em. I don’t like the look of things. Von Ribbentrop—Why did you come into the war? Mussolini—You know very well why I came in: you gave me a complete scenario, showing that France was finished and that England was as good as sunk. Von Ribbentrop—Everything will come out as we promised. All we need is patience and a new plan. Mussolini —Why can’t you mop up England the way you did all those other countries? There must be traitors, fifth columnists and quitters there, too. Von Ribbentrop—Yes, but England has ’em all in gaol. Now, listen, Dor Fuehrer says you have got to take Gibraltar. Are you ready? Mussolini —Who? Me! Von Ribbentrop—We must have the co-operation of Spain. We have to move fast. Mussolini—My troops never moved faster than they did when they were in Spain. Von Ribbentrop—This time it’s got to be in the right direction. Mussolini—There are moments when I think maybe we are biting off more than we can chew. Von Ribbentrop—You have my assurance this will be done on a fiftyfifty basis. Mussolini—What do you mean by that?

Von Ribbentrop—Germany will do the biting; you can do the chewing. Mussolini —The more you talk the more nervous I get. Von Ribbentrop—Brace up! Don’t you know Germany and Italy are super races? Don’t you know they are the two greatest Powers on earth? Don’t you know they are nations with a destiny? Don’t you know they will rule the worlc^? Mussolini-—I know it, and you know it . . . but does the world know .it? I. Phillips in the “New York Sun.’'