Evening star., 1939-12-17

For brief hour last week the Ru-
manian government took heart when
II Duce warned the u S. S. r. at the end
OF the meeting of the Fascist Grand
Council that he would not brook any
Communist interference below the
Danube. The statement Of the head of
the Fascists resounded not only through
the Balkans. but through Europe, and
had temporary repercussion in Wash
ington as we'll
There were cheers and renewed hope
Italy, it was Immediately said, sees the
light of day. She is going to abandon
the Improbable and dangerous connec-
ton with Berlin and will actively join
the allies. She will not fight her former
ally-Germany-bu she will take def
mite and formal stand against Russia.
Together with Yugoslavia, a country
which has no diplomatic connection with
the U. S. S. r. and is as fearful of Com
munism as Representative Martin Dies
himself, the Italian armies and powerful
airforce will challenge Russa's advance
in Southeastern Europe and will put an
end to the Soviet-German expansion
toward the east.
Many arguments were brought out in
favor of this theory: /. Italy is Catho-
lie country. The Vatican took definite
and determined stand against Com
munism. The power of the church is
great. Mussolini himself could not ig-
more 1t. Hence, when Communism
threatens to reach the borders of Italy,
Mussolini must become the defender of
the church against the anti-Christs
from Moscow. 2. Italys interests in the
Danubian Valley are important. The
Italian government is the protector of
the Danubian states-Hungary, Ru-
mania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. AS
long as there was question of German
expansion in that valley-in connection
with 1taly-Mussolini was quite willing
to divide with Hitler the zones of influ-
ence. But when 1t comes to Hitler di-
viding that valley with the U. S. S. r..
leaving Italy only the illusory prepon-
derance over Yugoslavia alone, the sit
uation necessarily had to change. g.
Ever since the outbreak of the second
European war the British and the French
diplomats have been active in Rome en-
deavoring to find the lowest price II
Duce would accept to adopt depend
able friendly neutrality in the present
conflict. No territories were offered him
because Germany had nothing II Duce
might covet. But the British and the
French were pointing out the unparal-
leled prosperity which had befallen
Italy during the last three months and
how terrible it would be for the Italian
people if they had to abandon their
present well-being to become involved
in a devastating war. Furthermore
British and French banks are Turing
Mussolini with long-term low-rate loans
boy.
Kennedy, Pro-Ally, Sees Roosevelt.
The spectacular developments in the
Fascist Grand Council coincided with
the arrival at the White House of AM
bassador Joseph Kennedy, who came
from London especially to report to
President Roosevelt matters which he
could not entrust either to the trans
Atlantic telephone or to transatlantic
clipper and still less to the cables or the
wireless.
Mr.. Kennedy is strongly pro-ally. In
the past he had been accepting too
readily the reassuring and optimistic
statements of the British premier and
his secretary of state, Lord Halifax.
Whether the air of the Court of st.
James had that influence over him or
whether the stark realities of the war
have induced him to use his good busi-
nessman's head is immaterial But what
is certain is that the Ambassador to
Britain has been telling President
Roosevelt a tale which could not be
found In his dispatches and telephone
conversations.
The fact picture he painted to the
Chief Executive regarding the situation
in Britain and in France must remain
secret which will not be contained even
in the diplomatic releases for 1899, when
and if these are published some 20 years
hence. But there is no doubt that the
Ambassador dispelled the optimism
with which many responsible quarters
here had received II Duce's statement
before the Grand Council in Rome.
The italian leader was not throwing
sand in the eyes Of the Germans when
he stated that the 1talo-German mill
tary alliance stands as strongly today
as it did in the past. He meant every
word he said. The diplomatic conversa-
tions between the Germans and the
Italians before the attack on Poland
had definitely settled the question of
Italy's not intervening in the present
conflict until both nations found it
necessary to their mutual advantage.
Italy can be of greater help to Germany
as neutral than as belligerent The
Alps cannot be crossed with greater
ease than the Maginot Line can be
broken. Both military operations are
feasible at tremendous sacrifice of hu-
man life. And the time has not come
when such sacrifice could be made to
the distinct advantage of the axis. Hence,