EFFORT TO MODIFY HITLER’S PEACE PLAN ?

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 67, 20 March 1940, Page 5

EFFORT TO MODIFY HITLER’S PEACE PLAN ?

Brenner Pass Meeting Arouses World Speculation

NAZI AND FASCIST DICTATORS BULLET-PROOF TRAIN AT BORDER VILLAGE [By Telegraph—Praai Aitociation—Copyright) LONDON, March 18. A blizzard was raging when Signor Mussolini and Hitler arrived in their bullet-proof trains at Brennero, a small border village in the Brenner Pass, for their meeting. Signor Mussolini and Hitler shook hands and immediately conferred alone in one o! the coaches fitted out as an office. The Koine wireless says that the conference lasted two and a-balf hours, and that it was hold in a cordial spirit. The blinds of the coach were drawn to ensure complete privacy. Von Ribbentrop and Count Ciano talked in an adjoining coach. At 1 p.m. Hitler's train left for Berlin and Signor Mussolini departed for Rome a quarter of an hour later. There is a flood of speculation as to the purpose of the meeting. but the New York Times’ Rome correspondent refers" to Hitler’s original peace proposal, which was understood by the Vatican is as follows; (1) General, simultaneous and immediate disarmament. (2) Return to a Four-Power Pact in the form of a new European directory, substituting for the League of Nations four States dividing Europe into zones of influence, and inaugurating an anti-Bolshevik policy aimed at the liberation of Russia by arms if necessary from Communism. * (3) Rcognition of absolute religious freedom after Germany had forced all Jews to emigrate under the direction of England, Italy and France, to Palestine, Ethiopia and Madagascar respectively. (4) Absolute freedom of trade and access to raw materials, with close economic co-operation with the United States and the facilitation of Italo-German emigration. (5) Restitution within 20 years of the German colonies or equal colonial compensation, or at least protection of German emigration to determined areas in Africa. (6) Reconstruction of an independent Poland composed primarily of a central zone of Polish territory, with 10.000,000 inhabitants, Gdynia to be a Polish free port; also Polish free trade through Danzig and the general facilitation of Polish communication to the sea; also the settlement of the Polish frontiers by an internationallye-controlled plebiscite, the Polish Danubian minority problems to be settled by transmigration. (7) The Czechs, Slovaks and Magyars to constitute a tripartite State allied to the Reich, which would enjoy industrial and communication privileges therein for 25 years. (8) Austria to remain in the Reich. (9) A Danubian federation to be constituted as a customs union, equalising the interests of the large and small Danube basin States and Italy, Germany, Rumania, Yugoslavia, Bohemia, Slovakia and Hungary participating therein. (10) The Balkans status quo to be maintained. (11) Free customs transit for Italian goods through Djibouti, anticipating the expiraton of the Suez Convention, also a new status for Tunisian Italians. It is believed that Signor Mussolini was convinced that peace by this method was hopeless, one of the reasons for meeting Herr Hitler being to induce modification. Reporting Hitler's arrival at Brennero. the German news agency says.- •'The two leaders met in order to discuss questions concerning both countries and arising from the fact that Germany to-day is at war with Western plutocracies, while Italy, by no means neutral, but non-belligernt. is also fighting for the rights of young nations.”

ITALY’S FREEDOM OF , POLICY CANNOT BE INFLUENCED BY NAZI GERMANY PEACE PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED Received March 19. lu.*> p.m. LONDON, March 18. Tne Rome radio, in an English broadcast last night, gave the first Italian comment on the Bi enneroi meeting. “It is absurd for Nazi Ger | many to deceive herself into thinking I that she can influence Ital/s freedom I of policy or action,” it was stated. Later, the Rome radio, referring to | foreign reports connecting the Bren- j nero meeting with Mr. Welles’ European mission, said: “It is cnly natural that there should be rumours aoout a concrete peace initiative owing to the general uesire lor a return to normal conditions, but a mere cessation of hostilities would not be enough to create peace. There are numerous problems which must be solved. On? thing is certain, the Duce, mere than any other European statesman, repre-j sents the determination ot a Europe ; that does not want to die. He also j represents a Government .vnich. while ’ ready for war, yet sees in the defence ; of peace an objective as great as war- [ like preparations.” PEACE PLAN DENIED IN GERMANY -WAR TO VICTORIOUS END” Received March 19, 9.10 p.m. LONDON, Maith 18. The official German news agency, in a statement last night, gave no details of the Brenner Pass meeting, but referred to the “western Powers lack of understanding of Nazism and Fascism as shown by foreign speculation about the meeting.” It added that England and France still diu not understand Hitler’s speech of October 6, which defined the principles of Germany’s attitude in the present conflict. “The enemy’s plutocratic statesmen brutally rejected this last word of the Fuhrer’s while simultaneously proclaiming their own criiiiinal war aims,” states the agency. “Since then the situation between the western Powers and the German Reich they

I GERMAN REACTION i “WATCH MOSCOW NEXT” SEMI-OFFICIAL COMMENT EXTENSION OF AXIS? LONDON, March 18. “Fasten your eyes or. Moscow next ’ is the theme of German semi-official 1 comment on the meeting between I Herr Hitler-and Signor Mussolini. ' | Although there is no confirmation of the flood of speculation which is I reaching London, many sources endorse this German reaction to what i is admitted to be a vital meeting. The Wilhelmstrasse says that Russia ‘ i belongs to the of great Pow-, ers and is entitled to participate in impending European reconstruction. The same circles envisage an extension of the Rome-Berlin Axis to Moscow. A FIRST STEP 1 I 1 RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND ITALY >! Received March 19, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, March 18. i It was asserted in Berlin that until jihe time came for filling in the date lof her participation in the conflict J Italy would not lose an opportunity iof demonstrating to the Western 1 Powers that she is Germany’s ally eco- ! comically. politically, and ideological»|iy, but a Russian-Italian rapprochement. the primary form of which would probably be a non-aggression pact, would be the first step towards a general Totalitarian agreement. Failing direct illumination from the t Brenner conference, observers looked . for signs from the physiognomy of the chief participants. Signor Mussolini . was smiling when he escorted Herr ' Hitler to his. train, and the Fuhrer ( was pale.

attacked has become completely clear.” A later Berlin radio broadcast stated: “The world’s Press assumes that the Fubrer and Mussolini met to consider peace proposals, but this is not so. The • world’s Press still does not understand that the Fuhrer has decided i to wage the war to a victorious end.”

REMOTE CHANCE PEACE WITH NAZIS “STERN DAVS AHEAD” [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, March 18. Commenting on President Roosevelt’s speech, the Yorkshire Post says: “It puts an end to all rumours that the European tour would be a German peace offensive backed by the United States. It is crystal clear that Mr. Roosevelt has no intention of lending his authority to any such dubious intrigues.” The News Chronicle says: “As things stand, the possibility of peace with the present rulers of Germany seems remote. We must therefore prepare for the worst with all the vigour and nerve at our command. If the expected peace initiative should fail we must be ready for total war. The first air raid this week-end on the territory of Britain is a pointer of i stern days ahead.” j MR. WELLES VISITS THE POPE ROME, March 18. I The 'Pope gave an audience of 50 minutes to Mr. Welles and Mr. Myron Taylor, United States representative at the Vatican. Mr. Welles and Mr. Taylor arrived at the Vatican in a car which was not flying either the United States flag or the Papal flag.