The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-02-15
Observations
Ciano Post Seen
as Possibility
of Peace Offer

BY Charles p. Stewart
II Duce Mussolini's appointment
OF Count GaleazZo Ciano. his son
in-law, as his diplomatic represen-
tative at the Vatican, is very inter
estingly interpreted by certain
students Of relationships between
the Axis countries. II is guess
work, OF course. but so are most
OF these wartime developments
meanings. II sounds plausible,
anyway.
Ciano was a member OF the tia
liam cabinet. which Benito radical
ly reshuffled recently, forcing
Ciano out as foreign minister
He was only one OF a considec-
able number of ministers who
we're eased out of office, but his
was considered an exceptionally
notable case because OF the
counts matrimonial connection
with II Duce's family and the cor
dial terms upon which he and his
father-in-law apparently have CO.
operated heretofore.
Gossip was that the shake-up
was a sequel to pro-peaCe activity
on the part OF the ministers whose
portfolios were forfeited. This
sounded like a reasonable enough
explanation as to all of them but
Count Ciano. 1t did seem rather
queer, however. that he should
have been party TO a peace plot
that his boss and pa-in-law disap-
proved of so heartily as to chuck
son-in-law into the discard for par
ticlpation in it.
Consequently a counter eXplana-
ton was evolved.
II was 10 the effect that Fuehrer
Hitler had had tips on the report
ed effort 10 detach Italy from the
Axis, and had warned Benito to
suppress il. making an outstand-
ing example OF Count Ciano, as
the arch-conspirator: else the
Nazis would invade the peninsula,
take charge in Rome. and make
short work of II Duce. politically,
anyway, and maybe physically.
IL that dope's correct, Beuito
evidently did not consider that the
time had come for him to put
up formidable resistance; he could
not last long il he tried ii at pres
ent.
So Mussolini yielded. presumab-
ly only because he had to do so.
1t is not assumed that he wanted
to. II isagreed that he is as utter
q totalitarian as anybody, but not
to the extent Of enjoying being
liquidsted in the totalitarian man
ner by Adolf, IL he can help It.
Mussolini's nerve is not assess
ed as amounting to anything, but
he is given credit for being a willy
cuss. II he thinks that Adolf is
about due to blow up. the reckon
ing is that he does not care par
ticularly as to Adolf, but would
like to make sure that he will sur
vive him.
To meet the immediate situa-
ton (still guessing) Benito sacri-
feed his cabinet.
Count Ciano, by Adolfs decree,
had to 60 with II.
For one thing, Benito wanted to
keep the count in a good Job.
Furthermore, presumably, Mus
solini is anxious to keep the door
open for the subsequent peace ne.
gotiations on a basis that will pre-
serve Italy's integrity and his own
Job as it's Duce. II is a risky
gamble certainly, but he hasn't a
bit of choice in the matter.
Nobody imagines that he cares
a boot for Hitler and his Nazi
pals.
Nobody cares a boot for Musso-
lini, either, but temporarily II
would be a convenience to have
him eliminated-not as a fighting
force but as a sentimental bellig.
erent.
Well, Count Ciano goes to the
Vatican.
Now, Pope Plus XII, as it stands
to reason, is definitely pro-peace.
The count, then, is transferred
" pONb Nhtlc Ht Ndu WOTk To-
ward peace most effectively.
1t was pretty clever manage.
ment.
Herr Hitler can not very we'll
kick about it. Neither can Com
rade Joseph Stain. The Japs are
immaterial in this case.
The theory is that Benito il
fed up with the war. He ought
to be,
| do not believe that anyone
thinks the Vatican has a war
interest.
The only rational conclusion.
along this line OF reasoning, is
that Benitos notion is to quit.
saving all he can out Of the ruins.
The situation puts a mean pro-
position up to the Vatican.
The situation virtually forces
the Vatican to take sides in the
present turmoil. The Vatican
will resist such pressure-thnt
goes without saying. Neverthe-
less, pressure is going TO be
brought to bear on the Vatican.