VISIT TO ROME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23603, 12 March 1940, Page 7

VISIT TO ROME

GEBMAN MINISTER TALKS WITH LEADERS IMPORTANT SEQUEL PREDICTED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 10 The Nazi Foreign Minister, von Ribbentrop,. and his party wore met on their arrival in Rome by Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister, and other members of the Foreign Office, says a message from the Italian capital. Italian and German flags decorated the Royal Hall at the station, and a company of Carabiniers in ceremonial uniform formed a guard .of honour. A military band played the Italian and German national anthems and Fascist and Nazi songs. After an inspection of the guard, Ribbentrop and Count Ciano drove in a closed car to the Villa Dama, where Kibbontrop will stay. Interview with Signor Mussolini Twenty motor-cycle police escorted Uibbentrop's car, after which them came 12 other cars, all flying swastikas. Signor Mussolini received TJibbentrop and a/brief communique describes the interview as cordial. It says that another has been arranged for to-mor-

Ribbentrop talked with Signor Mussolini for 75 minutes. A crowd of people had assembled, but there was little cheering. It is understood- that Ribbentrop and Count Ciano will confer at greater length this afternoon. Talk of a Triple Alliance The Copenhagen correspondent of the Times says a Danish correspondent reported from Berlin that Ribbentrop's visit to Koine presages events of the greatest importance in the next six months. Ribbentrop is credited with saying that the European war would be ended in six.months' time. The same theory is heard in German military circles. .. Some people think Ribbentrop hopes to persuade Signor Mussolini to mediate in the Russo-Finnish war and thus prepare the way for a triple alliance between Germany, Italy and Russia. The Italian press approves an honourable settlement for Finland and emphasises Italy's determination to maintain her neutrality, says the Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of Gr<?at Britain. Ribbentrop will meet the Pope tomorrow. A Vatican communique confirms that the German Ambassador to the Holy See has requested an audience.

BRITAIN AND ITALY , RECENT DISAGREEMENT RIBBENTROP'S OPPORTUNITY HOPES NOT FULFILLED (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, March 10 The difficulties which had arisen between Britain and Italy regarding coal cargoes were already well on their way to solution before the announcement on Friday night of Ribbentrop's intention to go to Rome. The comment is heard that, if the Nazi Foreign Minister seized the moment for his visit in order to exploit this disagreement to secure a modification of Italy s policy of non-belligerency, which has been" so clearly defined by Signor Mussolini, he might have spared himself his journey.

Diplomatic correspondents, however, are inclined to attribute the visit rather to the Jsa/.i leaders embanassments in two connections, namely, the dissipation of Russian resources in the Finnish campaign, and the effect on Catholic opinion at home of the Vatican's denunciations of the atrocities in occupied Poland. It is noted on the latter point that Ribbentrop is to be received by the Pope on Monday.

TACTICS OF FINNS DESTRUCTION OF BRIGADE HELP OF SNOW AND COLD LONDON, March f> Detailed reports of the destruction of the 34th Russian Tank Brigade suggest that the Finns reproduced the tactics they had used earlier to annihilate two Russian divisions at Suomussalmi and Raate. The superior mobility of the Finns, after cutting off the Russian communications, enabled them on the earlier occasions to isolate and destroy individual units. In the present instance, tho Finns at first intercepted the Russian food supplies. Then their artillery concentrated on knocking out the field kitchens, while large patrols cut off and destroyed tho petrol supplies. The Russian tanks and armoured cars were practically immobilised. The Russian troops formed a circle in which they dug-in to await help that was not forthcoming. Deep snow and excessive cold aided tho Finns. While the artillery battered, tho Finnish patrols continually encircled tho Russians. Fighters, and anti-aircraft guns concentrated to prevent Russian airmen from dropping supplies. The Finns, by means of a loudspeaker, offered safe conduct to 50 oi 60 beleaguered Russian nurses and promised to allow them to go to Russia but the offer was not accepted. It i.believed that Russian political com- . missars terrorised the defenders, asserting that the Finns tortured all then prisoners. The fate of the nurses i' not reported.

EXPLOSIONS ON SYLT (Received March 11, 7.45 p.m.) ■ COPENHAGEN. March .11 Continuous explosions on-the German Island of Sylt were heard this afternoon.