Evening star., 1939-01-11
II Duce 10 Press
Demands S on
Chamberlain
Fronco-British Pact
Seen at Stake as
Premier Arrives
BACKGROUND

| ISuIICI 7I1IVCS
BACKGROUND
FOLLOWING on heels of Chan
cellor Hitler'S demands in
Csecho- SloUakia, in 1Uhich Mus
solini played an important role,
II Duce, seeking reUard, noU
driDes for domination of the
Western Mediterranean. Again
Premier Chamberlain of Britain,
in the role of mediator, is strip
ing to bring about settlement.
Observers see threat to Franco
British alliance In talks Uhich
begin in Rome tomorrow, since
France has expressed determina-
ton to fight rather than glue up
an inch OF territory.
| By the Associated Press.
| ROME, Jan. 11-Prime Minister
| Chamberlain of Britain arrived in
Rome today to talk European ap-
| peasement with Premier Mussolini,
who was known to intend to talk
about his colonial claims on France.
| Mussolini and his son-in-law and
foreign minister, Count Galeazzo
Ciano, met Chamberlain and his
foreign secretary, Viscount Halifax,
at the railway station when they
arrived at All pm. G0:17 am,
E. S. To.
The search for new bases for ap-
peasement began less than two
hours later, when Chamberlain and
Halifax called on II Duce at his
Office in the PalaZzo Venezia.
A great crowd had gathered in
the square under Mussolini's bal
cony to witness the Britons' arrival
at 6:05 pm. 12:05 pm. E. S. T)
and cheered Chamberlain heartily
when he rolled up in an automobile
with Ciano. The Prime Minister
waved his silk hat in acknowledge
ment.
Previously Chamberlain and Hall
fax had called at the royal palace
to sign the register as official guests
OF the Italian government
Chamberlain and Halifax were
with Mussolini and Ciano exactly
an hour. They left II Duce's palace
by side door. The crowd which
had cheered their arrival had been
dispersed because it was stalling
traffic badly.
AS II Duce, smiling broadly,
stepped forward to shake Cham
berlain's hand, a military band
struck up God Save the King!' and
followed this with Italian and
Fascist party anthems.
A military guard of honor snapped
to attention, presented arms and was
reviewed by the British Prime
Minister and his host.
The station was draped with Brit
ish and Italian colors. Attending
Mussolini were high government
and party officials, including Achille
Starace, secretary general Of the
Fascist party, and Gen. Luigi Russo,
chief of staff of the Fascist militia.
Warning Sounded on Spain.
Before the Britons' arrival an
authoritative spokesman sounded
warning that they would be ex-
pected to hear Italy's claims on
France, that there must be no deal
for ending the Spanish civil war
and that Germany and Italy stood
steadfast together.
Virginio Gayda, who frequently
expresses the Italian official view,
wrote in II Giornale dItalia that
every chief of government who in
tends to pursue policy of European
cooperation should show "a clear
understanding and calm and timely
appraisal of the needs, interests and
rights" of Italy and Germany.
British and italian flags hung
from windows and public buildings
in honor of the visitors, but other
wise Rome displayed little holiday
dress, in contrast with the lavish
welcome given Reichsfuehrer Hitler
on his visit last May.
Moved by Reception.
Chamberlain, however, seemed
moved by the warmth of II Duce's
reception. He wore formal morning
clothes and carried his famous UNI
brella, while Mussolini and Ciano
were clad in gray-green uniforms of
commander and general of the
Fascist militia.
over a red carpet to special stand
of honor on a platform, where they
stood while Italian dignitaries and
about 1000 members of the British
colony in Rome cheered.
Guests and hosts left the station
through ranks of II Duce's elite
bodyguard, composed of towering
Blackshirts with deaths head in
sigma on their caps, to signify that
they have sworn to die if necessary
in protecting their chief.
Train Crosses Frontier.
The British Minister'S train crossed
the frontier under snowy Alpine
peaks at 5:25 am. and sped down
into the Plain of Piedmont to be-
tagged Genoa, whence, after an Of
f1cial welcome, the route led to Rome.
A detachment of troops lined the
Genoa station platform, a military
band played British and Italian
anthems, Italian authorities greeted
the Premier, and 300 members of
the British colony sang Hes Jolly
Good Fellow"
He and his foreign secretary, Wis
count Halifax, with their aides came
straight from a Paris conference
with Premier Daladier end Foreign
; Minister Bonnet-at which British
French determination to stand firm
against Italian demands was re-
emphasized.
II Duce to Make Demands.
Rome Fascists made it plain, how
ever, that Premier Mussolini would
place the demands against France
squarely before the British Minister
: despite the wish of Paris that
) Chamberlain not mediate on terri
torial concessions.
Satisfaction of such demands,
, from the Fascist point of view, is q
natural sequel to Munich and inn
perative to the European appease-
ment which Chamberlain seeks.
. Diy11oy,ootio o;ro1oc ,orol;oxoI H. n