Evening star., 1940-03-18
Eventual Entrance
Of Rome Into War
Seen Agreed Upon
BY LOUIS p. LOCHNER,


BERLIN, March 18.-Extension
of the Rome Berlin axis to Mos
COW and possible eventual par
ticipation of Italy in the Euro
pean war on Germany's side
were cited today by excellently
informed Berlin circles as the
main apparent results of today's
historic Brenner Pass meeting
between Fuehrer Hitler and Pre-
mier Mussolini.
The two statesmen appeared to
have worked on plans for a COM
plete reorganization of Europe, with
Soviet Russia as their partner. A
Russo-Italian rapprochement would
involve careful delineation of
spheres of influence in the Balkans,
Berlin was filled with runors that
German Foreign Minister Joachim
Won Ribbentrop would confer with
Russian Premier-F Foreign Commits
sar Vyacheslaff Molotod as soon as
possible, either in Berlin or Moscow
Accord on War Entry.
Hitler and Mussolini were said to
have agreed on possible ultimate
participation Of Italy in the Euro
pean war on GermaEy's side If and
when such course should be
deemed preferable to the present
status Of Italy as mot neutral and
yet not waging war;
Until the time should come for
filling in the date for a declaration
Of war. it was said. italy would lose
no opportunity to demonstrate to
the western powers that she is Ger
many's ally economically, politically
and ideologically.
Italy, for instance. abruptly ceased
furnishing certain implements Of
war to France as she had done
hitherto.
The present German Italian coal
agreement will be followed by other
agreements for putting resources of
each at the disposal of the other
axis partner. The coal agreement,
to furnish the major part of Italy's
coal needs by rail, followed upon
the British blockade of German
coal being shipped by water.
IN the event Of Italy's entering
the war, it was said Germany would
supply her partner with ali the
things necessary for wagine modern
war.
Welles to Learn Details.
One Of the frst statesmen in the
world to learn the details of today's
momentous border meeting between
the Fascist and Nazi leaders will be
United States Undersecretary OF
State Welles. to whom it was said
Mussolini would divulge such details
as seemed expedient before the
American sails for home Wednesday
Thus, as seen here, President
Roosevelt will be given one more
chance to find some formula for
tempting Great Britain and France
on the one hand and Germany and
virtually Italy on the other hand to
peace.
Without awaiting possible action
by the American President, however,
1t was considered more than likely
that German naval and air force
activity against Britain would con-
tinue and German-Italian diplomacy
would be most active in Soviet Rus
sia and the Balkans.
War Dominating Thought.
On the very day that Hitler and
Mussolini reached the far-reaching
decisions, Foreign Minister Joachim
Won Ribbentrop's personal monthly
organ Berlin Rome Toxic rolled of
the presses with highly significant
article characterized by three stars
instead of the authors name. Such
three-star articles are understood to
have been approved in the highest
quarters and to be tantamount to
an utterance by the foreign minister
himself.
The argument developed in the
course of the long article is epi-
tomized in the following conclusion
which was drawn:
I'VE are acting unrestrictedly and
irrepressibly with war and victory
as the sole dominating thought. We
are amused to see how some people
believe that German and Italian
statesmen, contrary to all their prac-
tices thereto, will permit the initia-
tive to be wrested from them
through cajolery, threats or black
mail, or to allow themselves to be
provoked by noisy statesmen or an
angry press on the other side.
"For the benefit of these strategists
let 1t be said quite clearly and
pointedly: The German-Italian
alliance is a reality built not only
upon power, but just as much upon
wisdom. It is reality which can be
active everywhere at any time with
out restriction"
An authorized spokesman soon
after the Hitler -Mussolini meeting
said it was held Ito discuss all ques-
tions which concern both allied and
authoritarian nations"
These questions result from the
fact that Nazi Germany today is
engaged in the decisive fight of her
history, fight forced upon her by
the western powers" the spokesman
declared.
"On the other hand, Fascist Italy
(See BERLIN, Page A-30
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