TENSE EXCITEMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 20889, 22 August 1939, Page 5

TENSE EXCITEMENT

SPECULATION IN ITALY EFFORT TO REACH SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE MAY BE HELD (United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyright) LONDON, August 21 Interest in the swiftly-moving European drama lias temporarily moved to Rome, which is tense with excitement and seething with speculation. Reuter's agency reports that there is a possibility of Count Ciano calling a conference of the British, French and Polish Ambassadors in a last elfort to reach a settlement. British circles deny knowledge of such an initiative, but it is understood the Ambassadors’ interviews with Count Ciano, postponed on Friday because of the arrival of the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Count Csaky, will be resumed today. The Italian Ambassador to Berlin, Dr. Attolico, whose negative reply to a vital question by Herr Hitler is denied by Berlin, has arrived from Munich to consult Count Ciano. It Is expected that Count Csaky will return to Rome today to see Count Ciano. A Vital Decision The British Associated Press believes the events of recent days indicate that a concrete formula for negotiation is imminent, the rejection or acceptance of which will decide whether Europe's problems are to be fmlved at the conference table or on the battlefield. Attention is drawn to the increasing use of the words “Der Tag" Day) in Berlin. It was announced from Berlin today that the whole of the Cologne and Ruhr districts will have 36 hours' air raid precautions exercises, beginning at dusk today. The large military manoeuvres in Germany are dislocating every-day life. Nearly 1,000,000 German women are “grass widows” because their husbands have been called up, and many have taken over their husbands’ jobs to carry on businesses.