ITALY AND GERMANY

Wairarapa Daily Times, 29 September 1937, Page 5

ITALY AND GERMANY

MEETING OF DICTATORS

A SIGNIFICANT VISIT.

Press Association Electric Telegraph—Copyright BERLIN, Monday.

With the crowds in the streets swollen by tens of thousands of spectators from the provinces, the capital gave the Italian Prime Minister, Signor Mussolini, a great reception as he drove with Herr Hitler to the presidential palace past 500,000 cheerers, of whom threequarters were women and children, along a five miles route. Later Signor Mussolini was the guest of honour at a State banquet, at which 200 leaders of national life showed off' their brilliant uniforms.

Herr Hitler, welcoming Signor Mussolini at the banquet, said it was plain from the enthusiasm of all classes that liis visit signified more to Germany than a conventional diplomatic visit. ‘ ‘ Even when the world- is full of tension and unrest, in which dangerous elements attempt to attack and destroy the old civilisation of Europe, ’’. said Herr Hitler, “Italy and Germany have found themselves in sincere friendship ■and co-operation, born not only by the same indestructible will of the two peoples to live and assert themselves, but by the closely inter-connected political ideas which are the basis of the internal strength and stability of our State. In this spirit Italy and Germany will deal with any attempt to separate the two' nations or to play off one against the other.” “Since I entered Germany I have everywhere felt the spiritual atmosphere of the great and friendly people of Germany,” Signor Mussolini replied. “Italy and Germany are prepared to work together with all other nations of good faith. What they demand is respect and understanding of their .needs and their justified requirements.” “As the sole condition of their friendship they ask only that there be no attempt to interfere with the foundations of our own glorious European culture. The conversations I have had with your Excellency in the last few days have strengthened our friendship against all attempts to- disturb or separate us, from whatever side they may come.” Senor Gayda, who is accompanying II Duce, sets forth the conditions on which collaboration will be granted, namely, tht other Powers must show that Italy and Germany have the same rights and position in Europe as themselves. Only thus can the other Powers denlonstrate the sincerity of their .desire for Italian and German collaboration. Instructions have been given to the German Press to indicate no military alliance as resulting from the talks between the dictators. OBJECTS OF MEETING. A GROWING IMPRESSION. LONDON, Tuesday. “The Times” Berlin (imspondentsays the impression is growing that -what the dictators are considering is methods of dealing with the AngloFrench diplomatic activity, including the projected Three Power Conference, -which is unlikely to arouse a sympathetic response in either Italy or Germany. On the other hand, an obscuie passage in the “Frankfurter Zeit.ung” indicates that the dictators have resolved to protect each other’s interests in Spain, and even to press for the exclusion of Russia entirely from the Spanish question. SUSPECTED OF PLOTTING. ANTI-FASCISTS ARRESTED. INNSBRUCK, Tuesday. Two anti-Fascists, believed to be French, were arrested on the ParisBueharcst express on suspicion of plotting against Signor Mussolini’s life on ■his way back. The Austrian police are taking extra precautions to ensure the Duce's safety on his return journey.

THE DUCE ENTERTAINED. IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS. (Received Wednesday, 10.10 a.m.) BERLIN, Tuesday. Signor Mussolini paid a vdsit to a military museum: this morning. He was most interested in Napoleon’s hat and orders that Avere found after the Battle of Waterloo. Berlin people Avere given a day’s holiday and crowds lined the streets to see the Duce drive to Potsdam to vieAV Frederick the Great’s Palace of Sans Souci. Signor Mussolini Avill be General Goering’s guest this afternoon at a hunting lodge 45 miles from Berlin. It is expected that important discussions with Herr Hitler Avill be held there, as hitherto public ceremonies have given very little chance of a conference.