Evening star., 1938-05-08
H|TLERANDDUCE
TOAST THE|RPACT
Fuehrer Guarantees Alpine
Border With Italy for
All Time.'

Reichtuehrer Hitler Uent to
Rome Tuesday to repay pisit of
Premier Mussolini to Berlin last
September. German dictator has
seen Italian military and naual
might paraded, as well as brilliant
pdgedntry. Political discussions
haze been sandwiched in betUeen
hurried trips about Italy for DEM
onstrations arranged bv his host.
By the Associated Press.
ROME, May 7.-Benito Mussolini
and Adolf Hitler completed and
sealed" their alliance tonight in an
exchange OF fidelity toasts at formal
state dinner in Palazzo Venezia.
Der Fuehrer guaranteed for all
time" the Alpine border between Ger
many and Italy.
1T is my unshakable will and also
my political testament to the German
people," he declared, ito consider in
violable for all time the frontiers of
the Alps erected between us by ma
ture
Il am certain that for Rome as we'll
as Germany there will result a future
that will be glorious as well as pros
porous"
Dinner Climaxes Weeks Visit.
The dinner brought to climax a
weeks visit filled with military DEM
onstrations, pageantry and political
discussions whose import the world
probably will not know until time dis
closes them.
The short speeches of the two die
tators lacked concrete details of what
they intend to do about CZechoslo-
vakia, where Nazi Germany minority
Is clamoring for autonomy, and other
problems which were said to have been
discussed.
But their blanket reaffirmations Of
the solidity of the Berlin-Rome work.
ing agreement was interpreted as an
indication that they had struck bar
gain with respect to each others in
terests, wherever they meet. and would
give each other mutual aid in the re-
making Of Europe.
Fascism's Duce told Nazi-ism's S
Fuehrer:
Your visit to Rome completes and
seals the understanding between our
two countries"
He pledged fidelity to the Rome
Berlin friendship, saying Fascist Italy
knows but one ethical law" of friend
ship, which was to march with a
friend to the finish.
Hitler, who spoke faster than is his
laration on the Fascist principle of
friendship by saying: Il associate my
self with this principle"
Solemn Pledge of Fidelity.
Der Fuehrer's pledge of Fidelity was
solemn and all-inclusive:
"Duce," he declared to Mussolini,
"just as you and your people have
remained true to your friendship for
Germany in the decisive days, SO I,
too. and my people are ready to mani
fest the same friendship to Italy"
Following the banquet, crowds in
the Palazzo Venezia called for the two
dictators to appear on Mussolini's
famous balcony.
Der Fuehrer and II Duce stepped
out several times to salute the throngs
below But they did not speak
Hitler appeared in his customary
brown uniform. decorated with an
iron cross Mussolini wore the garb
Of commander of Fascist militia
and the decoration of the Order of
the German Eagle which Hitler con-
ferreo upon him last October.
Hitler spoke in German and Mus
solini in Italian.
Closes Tranquil Day.
Tonight's activities came at the
close of the most tranquil day Hitler
has enjoyed since he arrived in Italy
Tuesday night. After rain caused
postponement Of scheduled air force
and artillery demonstration. Der Fueh-
rer went on sightseeing trip.
He already had seen a goose-step-
ping sample of Mussolini's army, with
an asserted strength of 100000 men,
and had watched Italys powerful
navy in action.
On today's trip he had a quick look
at ST. Peters and Vatican City as his
automobile sped through the new
Avenue of Conciliation-named in
commemoration OF the settlement of
differences between the church and
Italy.
When he returned to the city he
went back second time to visit the
Augustin Exposition depicting the
glories Of ancient imperial Rome
Then under the guidance of Minister
of Education Giuseppe Bottai he went
to Campidoglio, the Capitol, and spent
some time viewing its paintings and
sculptures.
He spent two hours in conversations
with Italian leaders preparatory to
tonight's speeches. After talking in
private for an hour, Hitler and Mus
solini called in their foreign ministers,
Joachim Won Ribbentrop and Count
Galeazzo Ciano, and the conversations
continued for another hour.
The chief topic was reported to have
been possible four-power pact in
volving France, Great Britain, Ger
many and Italy German sources said
Hitler indicated willingness to join
such a pact. but left no doubt that he
considered it essential that Italian
French and German-British agree
ments precede four-power pact.