Evening star., 1940-03-09
Rome
Continued From First Page.

lies with attempting to prevent
Russian-Finnish armistice
Informed Fascists said that once
the Russian terms and the prospects
of increased French British assist
ance to the Firms were known, the
Firms would have to decide for
themselves whether to accept the
former or rely on the latter.
Trade Talks May Be Resumed.
They had no confirmation of Ber-
lin reports ti,at former Finnish
President Per Evind Svinhufvud was
coming to Rome. 1t was said, in
any case, such visit would be post
poned until after Won Ribbentrop's
departure.
London dispatches reporting a
summary of Britain's reply to the
coal blockade protest, which may be
delivered here tomorrow, said the
reply was expected to make rela-
tions between London and Rome
more cordial" and that commercial
negotiations might be resumed.
Fascist circles predicted that the
British prize ourt would free the
seized italian vessels laden with
German coal.
Some diplomats thought it also
possible that Sumner Welles, United
States Undersecretary of State,
might be approached on the ques-
ton of mediation between Finland
and Russia when he returns to
Rome, probably within the next
week, on his way home from a
European fact-finding tour for
President Roosevelt.
Dangerous Situation Seen.
Concern was expressed in circles
friendly to the allies at what they
considered a dangerous situation.
They described relations between
Italy and Britain as difficult
despite an appearance of calm-in
the dispute over British seizure of
Italian ships carrying German coal.
Their fear was that Won Ribben-
trop might try to increase the
tension. =.
Both the Essener National
Zeitung, regarded as close to
Field Marshal Hermann Wilhelm
Goering, and the well-informed
Dienst AUS Deutschland Com
mentary Service linked the. sud-
denly y-announced conference with
the coal issue. ,
(The meeting was disclosed
officially in Berlin soon after the
arrival there of Svinhufvud,. and
observers in the German capital
saw the Russian Finnish situa-
tion as the more urgent of the
problems interesting the axis
partners. . '-.
(Svinhufvud was said to be on
his way to Italy for vacation,
but it was acknowledged that he
would be available to give Mus
solini an authoritative version of
the Finnish governments view
point)
Italian press attacks on Britain
and France as war fomenters echoed
German charges that the allies were
influencing Finnish resistance to
Russia. .;.
Mussolini's newspaper, II Popolo
DItalia Of Milan, said the British
and French had planned to extend
the European war by aiding Finland
through Scandinavia and suggested
the Firms might be wiser to nego-
tiate with Moscow.
British Attitude Seen SITTER.
Some neutral observers inter-
preted the British detention of Ital-
ian golfers as a sign of a stiffening
British attitude toward countries
which have been trading with Ger
many since the war began. They
considered it certain Won Ribbentrop
would confer with Mussolini on
Italy's attitude. toward Britain in
this dispute.
Dispatches from Berlin noted that
German newspapers were stressing
that Won Ribbentrop's visit would
occur "at q moment when Italy is
reamrming her rights against an
attempted restriction Of them by
another power"
The italian press maintained its
sharp tone toward Britain and the
authoritative Fascist editor, Vir-
ginio Gayda, cautioned the British
against assuming that Italy was
peculiarly vulnerable to air and
sea attack.
The Rome radio broadcaster said
the Italian governments position
in the, coal controversy remained
firm"