Evening star., 1933-05-21
FOUR-POWER PEACE
TREATY DISCUSSED
BY FASCIST CHIEFS
Duce Takes Up Salvaging of
Proposed Pact With His
LieutenantS.
SECRET SESSION HELD;
MEET AGAIN TOMORROW
Belief Grows o-German Conces-
sion Has Been Submitted to
French and British.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated PreSS,
ROME, May 21.-After a two and a
half hours secret session in which Pre-
nnier Mussolini discussed his plan for
salvaging the proposed four-power peace
pact, the Fascist Grand Council was
dismissed early this morning until Mon
day when the discussion will be re-
sun1ed.
The brief communique issued at the
close of the meeting did not disclose
the status of the negotiations but
merely said that the debate would be
resumed Monday night at 10 o'clock.
Reports Gain Credence.
This attitude of secrecy lent impor-
tance to reports circulated before the
meeting that a recent Italo- German
concession for adoption of the pact had
been submitted to the French and
British governments
In that case the Duce would be un-
able to make public statement on the
subject until answers had been re-
ceived from London and Paris.
Shortly before the meeting Of the
Grand Council Premier Mussolini had
held conferences with Capt. Goering,
Chancellor Hitler's right hand man, and
with the British and French ambas-
sadorS.
Mention of Pact Avoided.
The official communique issued after
the meeting studiously avoided mention
of the pact and likewise any reference
to President Roosevelts initiative or
Chancellor Hitler's speech.
The announcement said that Signor
Mussolini and others spoke. 1t added
that Guido Jung, the finance minister,
reported on his conferences at Wash
ington and afterward submitted to
questioning.
The Duce, the communique said, ex-
pressed satisfaction at Jungs report.
The German attitude toward the
Mussolini proposal has changed within
the last few days, it was said.
Chancellor Hitler agreed to the pact
almost Immediately after Premier Mus
solini presented 1t to Prime Minister
Ramsay Macdonald when the British
statesman visited Rome two months
ago.
Objections Made by France.
Subsequently, when the French
COlJdlA1A16 dA0CA 0eAOAAo
was prepared, the chancellor insisted
that the pact be returned to its original
form. The original Mussolini proposal
called upon Britain, France, Germany
and Italy to pursue common policy
for peace. The French objections were
based on criticism that the pact might
result in a four-power dictatorship over
Europe, to the detriment OF smaller
nations.
Diplomats said that Chancellor Hit
Ter now is willing to accept the French
amendments. In his speech before the
Reichstag Wednesday, he agreed again
TO the pact proposal, but without men
tioning the original form.
Informed circles said that Premier
Mussolini was pressing his pact at this
moment for three reasons.
l. The political situation has i'm
proved after the Roosevelt message and
the Hitler Reichstag speech.
g. He desires to have the pact con-
cluded before the World Economic Con-
ference opens in London in the belief
that it will increase the chances Of sue
cess at the conference.
3. At the disarmament conference
hopes are roseate at present. but there
still is a long road to travel and there
fore Italy considers the pact necessary
in order to exert benehcent influence
on the parley and make possible definite
arms reduction.
Early Agreement Seen.
1t was learned in diplomatic circles
that Capt. Goering's presence in Rome
today was primarily to cooperate with
Premier Mussolini in efforts to rehabili-
tate the four-power peace scheme.
Diplomatic circles regard the last
minute decision to continue the council
meeting on Monday IS result of the
Duce's conferences with Goering and
the British and French Ambassadors.
They are inclined to the view that a
far-reaching agreement will be pos
sible shortly.
A definite statement may be issued
at the conclusion of Mondays meet
ing. or perhaps in the Chamber Of
Deputies early in the week.
It is understood that Premier Mas
solini will receive the French and Brit
ish Ambassadors again today Sunday