The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-06-21

SnOulQ De given AOt wv S"tAA~
siastic welcome" Ciano notes that
1.-THE old man with the umbrella is
quite popular" in Rome's middle
class districts on his arrival Jan.
IL. At s o'clock that night they
went to the Palazio Venesia Tor
conferences.
JAN. 1.-THE conversations had
a weary note. The most important
matters were not discussed, anc
both sides betrayed their mental
reservations. How far apart we are
from these people! It is another
world!
Gathered in a corner OF the
room, we were talking about 1t
after dinner with II Duce. 'These
men are not the same stuff as the
Francis brakes and other magnifi
cent adventures who created the
empire he said. These after all
are the tired sons of a long line OF
rich generations and they will lose
their empire
Speaking OF France, n Duce
was quite offended by an article
with unpleasant references to his
private life in L'Europe Nouvelle
(French political weekly. He said:
These will be the first to fall. Some
offenses can only be settled with
cannonfire and bombs"
The next day conversation
continued between Ciano and LORD
Halifax 0oreign mininter, and now
British ambassador to the United
States). They talked particularly Of
Spain. -.
JAN. 12-"I repeated to him our
points Of view and he gave his,
Ciano wrote. He doesn't seem very
convinced, and at heart, I think
would be happy il Frances victory
would settle the whole thing. =. Our
conversations with the British have
ended. Nothing was accomplished
II have telephoned Won Ribben'
trop that the visit was n big
lemonade - absolutely harmless.
Cynicany Ciano records thai
France cannot risk intervention ir
Spain.
JAN. ia nation with 40, 0O(
more deaths than births in the lsD'
six months cannot indulge the luxu
ry Of pouring out the blood Of its
forces, we shall unload 80 batta
lions at Valencia, even if this SHOULD
provoke a world war :"
Ciano was in Belgrade Jan. H.
"A. Balkan politics and 4 visit by
King Boris of Bulgaria occupied
him from then until Jan. Is wher
he went golfing and heard at the
club that Barcelona had fallen tt
Frances anation wide celebration
was planned Immediately.
JAN. 26-'n Duce, too, was very
moved although he likes to appear
imperturbable. He has good reason
to be satisfied. Victory in SPAR
bears only one name, that Of Mus
solini, who conducted the campaign
bravely, firmly even when man,
people who now applaud were
against him.
JAN. 27-'Lord, Perth, (Britisf
ambassador to Romeo has submit
ted for our approval the outline O.
the speech that Chamberlain viii
make before the House of Com
mons, SO that we might sugges
changes, if necessary.
III Duce approved, and said, i:
believe this is the first time tina
the head Of 4 British government
submits to a foreign power tn,
outline of one Of his speeches. IT.
a bad sign for them. "
All the crooked devices Of Axi
diplomacy appear in the next day
as Italy pressed France for con
cessions in Africa and prepare<
for the Feb. l parade. Musso lini
i'll of cold, watched from his win
dow 4 rehearsal. He noted witt
satisfaction that Nazi Stormtroop
ers were applauded in the square
THE Axis is becoming popular,
Ciano records.
The fall Of Stoyadinovich's gov
eminent in Belgrade turned at
tention Feb. 4 to Albania again
Ciano records Italy's decision.
Feb. with Stoyadinvich
partition Of Albania between u
and Jugoslavia; with Stoyadinovic,
occupation of Albania by us with
out Yugoslavia, if necessary. eve
against Yugoslavia."
Feb. 6-'We shall intensity locs
revolutionary preparations. Tn
date Of the action: The week O
Easter"
He planned to see Ribbentrop i
the interval and perhaps" tel
him the plans.
II Duce by this time was les
certain that the Japs should be in
cluded in the Axis alliance.
Feb. 8-"He is Of. the opinio
that an alliance between German
and Italy should be concluded witt,
out Japan. He observed that sue
an alliance would be sufficient t
meet the Anglo-French forces, an
at the same time would not appea
anti-British or anti-American."
II Duce was unconcerned owe
the Pope's death.
Feb. 10-'The news leaves
Duce completely Indifferent.
Mussolini sought Only to discov
er if the Pope mad left any dam
aging statements for the use Of hi
successor. He agreed to attend tn