COOL WELCOME

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21029, 6 May 1938, Page 9

COOL WELCOME

Herr Hitler’s Visit to Rome ■ Pointed Papal Speech ITALY’S RECEPTION RESTRAINED Anglo-German Talk Likely United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ROME. May 4. j His Holiness the Pope, addressing a party of honeymooners at Castle Gandolfo and recalling yesterday's feast of the Holy Cross, deplored the Swastika flag decorations in Rome. He said that sad things were happening near and far. “The Swastika is certainly not Christ’s cross.” the Pope added. STIFF AND FORMAL NO DEMONSTRATION FOR HERR HITLER United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ROME, May 4. A feature of the military display in Herr Hitler's honour was machine-gun and artillery fire by batteries of 15-year-old boys. According to some reports from Rome the crowd last nigh: gave Herr Hitler a somewhat stiff and formal welcome without any undue enthusiasm. The United Press Rome correspondent learns from a reliable Fascist quarter that Signor Mussolini, regarding the visit as the formal return of his own visit to Germany, gave instruction that the reception should be official, moderate and dignified, without scenes of mob enthusiasm. The Fascist leaders passed cii these instructions to the Fascist officers, who selected the Italians to line the streets. These officers told the selected Italians just how they were to act. A later message states that a constant drizzle, and occasional downpours of rain marred the pageantry in honour of Herr Hitler in which enormous contingents from all branches of the Italian forces participated. It is interesting, in view of the Pope's regret at the display of Swastika banenrs, that none was flown from | any public buildings. Trams and buses were decorated with Italian flags, but. there was not a single Swastika. Herr Hitler and Herr Ribbentrop opened their political conversations with Signor Mussolini with a short conference sandwiched between the ceremonial functions. Hen- Hitler, accompanied by Signor Mussolini, dined with King Victor Emmanuel before departing for Naples. BRITAIN AND GERMANY EXPECTATIONS OF TALKS IN BERLIN LONDON, April 26. It is authoritatively suggested that the German Government expects a resumption of the talks initiated whin Viscount Halifax recently visited Berlin. The points for discussion are fewer than those between Britain and Italy, but are not less important. It is pointed out that Mr Chamberlain, whose political position has been strengthened by the pact with Italy, firmly believes that the key to European problems lies in “appeasement.” People are beginning to wonder what is meant by “appeasement,” but at tr.e moment it is the magic word. One of the wittier critics has said that appeasement means putting Italj' into Abyssinia without putting her out of Spain. Meanwhile Germany most strongly maintains her eventual claim to colonies, but it is felt that, lor special reasons of bargaining, she would be prepared not to press the matter immediately. It is expected that Mr Chamberlain will disregard objections arising from Herr Hitler’s conquest of Austria, as he over-rode opposition to the Italian talks based on similar considerations. Germany insists that no European co-operation can be expected for the League of Nations while the Soviet is a member. Berlin also holds that the FrancoSoviet Pact seriously hinders an agreement between the four Western Powers. If Berlin has its way Czechoslovakia will have to satisfy a demand that the 3,000,000 Bohemian Germans shall come under the rule of the Reich. The ending of the Czecho-Soviet Pact will be demanded, and also the virtual disarmament of Czechoslovakia. This would make the Czech nation of 15,000,000 a second Switzerland. GERMAN DIPLOMAT IN PERIL CASE OF VON PAPEN LONDON, April 24. Germany’s wartime arch-spy, Herr von Papen, lately Ambassador in Vienna, may have to face a charge of high treason, says the News Chronicle. Herr Himmler, head of the secret police ( is compiling from the archives at the German Embassy in Vienna evidence which, he hopes, will justify an indictment of von Papen. the paper states, but Hitler will possibly forbid a trial, owing to the unpleasant effect on the German public. The News Chronicle states that von Papen’s second secretary, Count von Kageneck, recently flew to Sweden. Both von Kageneck and von Ketteler were present at the Berchtesgaden interview between Herr Hitler and Dr. Schuschnigg. Accordingly, they are aware of German commitments | which were subsequently broken. i