Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-15


i ment, the other a lieutenant il
the Alpini Corps, shared thu
hardships of an early Winter in the
trenches of the Lsongo front. They
did not know of each others existence
These men were Pvt. Benito MuS3olin
and Lieut.. Dino Grandi
Tomorrow this former lieutenant
now SO years old and foreign secretary
.of the Kingdom of Italy, arrives II
Washington to discuss with President
Hoover and Secretary Stimson the Eu-
ropean situation
Last Summer when our Secretary OF
State was in Italy and laid the founda-
ton of the new method OF diplomatic
activity by direct contacts between the
heads of governments, he spoke to the
Italian foreign secretary about the ad-
visibility of coming to Washington tC
discuss with our Chief Magistrate, per-
sonally. the many thorny problems
which render the political situation IN
Europe today SO precarlous.
Grandi accepted the initiation with
Joy But as our outstanding problem
with France were of a more serious
I nature it was thought advisable to ask
! Premier Laval to come to this country
! first.
The Italians have been watching very
carefully the results of the visit OF the
4 French Premier. and, rightly or
tE WTOnEly, IIldt ll1C INodibS Va
+ the Hoover-Laval conversations were
far from being satisfactory, at least In
so far as the main question of the world
disarmament is concerned.
Seeks Working Agreement.
Dino Grandi comes to this country
firmly decided to reach a working
agreement with the United States, SO
that at the coming Geneva conference
both Italy and America should have a
common policy and present, if possible
a united front The Importance OF
Grandi's visit is not minimized in re-
sponsible administration circles.
In certain quarters the results OF such
q visit are looked upon with skepticism
What can Italy, a country badly hit
financially and economically, do if the
mighty French Republic is determined
there should be no limitation of arma-
ment, as far as France and her allies
are concerned?
This skepticism is not shared by our
leading men. Conversations with Mus
solinis special representative-th for
eign secretary has full power to speak
and act in the name of ii Duce-are
doubly important, in that our diplomats
realize that whatever Grandi may agree
to do will hold. The policies of Italy
are in the hands of MuSsolini, and as
there are no indications his rule will
reached with his representative will I'M
doubtedly hold good at the Geneva con-
ference There never is the same certi-
tude in dealing with a French premier,
4 because, on account of the uncertainty
of French politics, the man who repre-
4 scented her here today may be cut OF
4 Office tomorrow. The final decision OF
= any act Of the French government rests
entirely in the hands of the French
Parliament. which can overthrow a
prime minister within less than "a
hours. -
situation Is Changed.
This situation, which existed until
1923 in Italy, no longer exists today.
Mussolini is the master of his country,
and whatever he or his plenipotentiary
decides is final. AS in the case of the
Laval visit, there is no agenda to guide
the conversations between the Italian
foreign minister and President Hoover
snd Mr. Stimson. The sky is the limit,
IS fEr. Stimson expressed himself few
t7ys ago when asked what matters will
b. taken up when Signor Grand meets
tns President.
There are no fundamental differences
& opinion between the way the United
States and Italy see the reorganiza ton
Ct Europe. There will be none of those
celicate questions to be discussed be-
tween the Italian and the American
LEADERS, Italy Is actually asking moth
ing from us except cooperation. She
is not after consultative pacts, security,
new loans or extension of loans.
The guiding thoughts OF these con-
versations will be without doubt the
sore situation of Europe today and the
ways to remedy 1t.
Both the American and the Italian
governments are in agreement in be-
lieying the trouble with Europe is the
y,Nlifioo1 yornhlarnS u-oich
pei every country of that continent TO
keep large armies, which in turn invite
suspicion create heavy deficits and
bring about the economic upheaval
from which the world is suffering at
present.
: Duce No Longer Saber Rather.
: There is no doubt that Mussolini Is
no longer the saber RATHER the world
thought him to be until some ID months
ago. At that time the general opinion
was that the Italian dictator would not
/, hesitate to embark in war-like ad-
venture should such an action help MS
political aims and ambitions. His flery
speeches, his spectacular military DEM
constructions at Frances borders only
confirmed this thought. Some Shrewd
observers. especially in France, said this
was all play acting, and that Mussollni
was only playing for the gallery; that
he lnLenQeQ dSSeTL 1Jdly
position in Europe by keeping every
body breathless and wondering as to
when the terrible Duce would lead his
legions against the whole world.
The last Is months seem to have con-
firmed this Judgment OF the Duce, for
Italy from the most bellicose nation in
EL-cpe has become the most enthuSi-
astic protagonist OF peace and dlsarma-
ment.
Those close to MuSsolini say that
while strong nationalist the dictator
is fundamentally a pacifist. He ha:
seen war at its worst. He and his for
eign secretary have seen war at close
quarters, not from the Comparatively
comfortable headquarters of com
manding officer or the high-powerec
car of staff officer, but from thu
trenches. They have seen men dying
and both Of them have been wounde;
iii action. Consequently, like the grea
ma iority of soldiers who have taken al
.ctive part in the war. they don't relisl
me idea of sending other young men t.
the trenches.
Has Excellent Army.
1t NAV also be that the alleged war
like entfz :Asm of the Duce has beer
somewhfA dampened by the fact tina
Italy can no longer stand the terrif
burden of ornaments, naval and mill
tary.
italy is reported today to have al
excellent army, an equally good nav
and one of the best military air force
in Europe. All that has been built b
Mussolini within the last 10 years at
great sacrifice to Italy. These senti
mental and practical factors, combine
undoubtedly with some serious thinking
have convinced the Italian leader tina
the moment has come for the world I
begin reducing this futile expenditure
italy thinks. however, that she car