Evening star., 1940-02-10

as mediator or even as messenger
between the various capitals, but in
order to make general report to
Washington on the conditions of
the present war, Cordell Hull is con-
sulting the neutrals on the future
organization of peace.
Those are two separate domains"
The note said Sumner Welles
may be sure of being received in
France with the same sentiments
that the various messages of the
President of the United States have
aroused"
Vatican Comment Favorable.
Meanwhile, Vatican circles COM
mented favorably on the Welles mis-
sion. ANY initiative designed to
prepare for the possibility of peace
full understandings must be ap-
proved" said an authoritative
source.
President Roosevelt announced
yesterday that Mr.. Welles' trip to
Italy. France. Germany and Great
Britain was for the purpose of ad-
vlsing the President and the Secre-
tary of State as to present condi-
tions in Europe"
Disclosures of American moves
toward peace and an improved eco
nomic< order in the world were
greeted by tremendous interest both
here and abroad.
On Capitol Hill Senator Van Nuys,
Democrat. Of Indiana, a member
of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, observed that it looked
like league of neutrals" might
be in the offing But Senate Ma
jority Leader Barkley declared he
had not been informed that the
State Department had any such
objective.
Its natural to assume, though"
Senator Barkley commented, that
the moral support of neutrals toward
a peace movement is desired and
might be more fruitful than the
efforts of one nation"
Senator Johnson. Democrat, of
Colorado thought Mr.. Welles trip
might produce some valuable data
about European conditions. He
decried, however, the State Depart
ment's efforts to get together with
other neutrals on economic and
disarmament questions. asserting:
THAT sounds to me as though
Hull is talking about new League
of Nations based on international
economics. That's a very involved
question when we can't even take
care of our own economics"
Opposition to rowing ambassa-
dors' was voiced by Senator Clark,
Democrat, of Missouri, who said:
THE only ones we ever had got
us in trouble, including the World
War. 1 don't want to set up a Col.
House in the present administra-
ton"
He referred to Col. Edward M.
House, who went to Europe for
President Wilson in January, 1915.
On the other hand, Senator Taft
Republican, of Ohio, expressed the
opinion that Congress ought not to
interfere in "the details" of the
Presidents efforts to carry out for
eign policy.
Mr.. Welles, leaving next Saturday
with Myron c. Taylor, who goes to
Vatican City as the personal repre-
sentative of the President; was as
sured a cordial reception at Rome,
his first stop, but there, as in Lon
don, Berlin and Paris, his forthcom-
ing visit was regarded primarily as
a quest for information, despite its
link in the United States with Amer
lean steps toward eventual restora-
ton of world peace"
Italian Foreign Minister Count
Galeazzo Ciano learned officially of
Mr.. Welles prospective visit from
United States Ambassador William
Phillips and assured him he was
looking forward with pleasure to
meeting President Roosevelt's envoy.
Cautious Comment.
Fascist officials and the Italian
press commented cautiously, al.
though newspapers published the
announcement prominently
Informed Fascists said 1t was nat
ural the Italian attitude should be
reserved since the aims of the mis-
sion so far were rather vague"
II Resto Del Carlino. one of the
few newspapers to comment directly,
expressed doubt Of the missions &C.
complishments. It said the men,
ory of Wilson is too recent
and still more recent are Roosevelt's
speeches"
It was assumed in Rome that Mr..
Welles would see Premier Mussolini,
but no definite program had been
arranged for his stay.
OF the countries mentioned in the
Presidents announcement of Mr..
Welles' assignment, Italy WAS ac-
corded particular speculative prom
inence.
Some officials believe that when
the time comes for a definite peace
move 1t can be made most effectively
by the United States, italy (Europe's
largest neutraD ard the Vatican.
A semi-official british statement