The Wilmington morning star., 1945-06-24
CIANO'S DIARY
CIANO'S DIARY S.
It's A Showdo1uzss 8
Nazis Say FL
They Want Var

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ciudlrg right of translation.)
AUG. l - "Attolico Ambassador
to Germany continues his favor
lite theme that a sudden deci-
sion will be made by Hitler by
Aug. Is Either his ambassa-
dor has lost his head, or he sees
and knows something that escapes
us. Appearances are in favor of
the first alternative. -
C1ano Plagued By Uncertainties
AUG. 2-"Massimo writes a pri-
vate letter from which it appears
that he disagrees with the am
bassador (Attolico) about the
danger of an approaching crisis.
Roatta, the new military at
tache, informs us about the con-
centration of forces on the Polish
border. Who can be right. :.
AUG. 4. = The situation. seems
blurred to me. I am beginning to
consider a meeting with Won Rib
bentrop."
AUG. 6-"By following the Ger
mans we shall 60 to war under the
most unfavorable conditions for
the Axis and especially for Italy.
Our gold reserves are reduced al
most to nothing as well as our
stocks of metals. Our economic
and military preparations are far
from complete. 1 propose to II
Duce meeting with Won Ribben-
trop. during which 1 will dis
cuss Mussolini's project for a
world peace conference"
AUG. 81, decide to leave to-
morrow night for Salzburg. II Duce
is anxious to prove to the Germans
| with documents that war at this
time would be folly. Our prepare
tons are not such as to permit us
to be certain of victory. The
probabilities are a per cent, or
so II Duce thinks Within three
years the probabilities will be 80
per cent
Can't Bulge Germans;
They Want a War
AUG. II Cat Safzburgy - "Von
Ribbentrop is evasive whenever
ask for details about the German
| program. His conscience bothers
him. He has lied too many times
about German intentions toward
Poland not to feel uneasy now.
"The decision to fight is implac
able. He rejects any solution which
might give satisfaction to Ger
many and avoid the struggle.
am certain that. even were the
Germans given more than they ask
they would attack just the same
because they are possessed by the
demon of destruction.
OUR CONVERSATION becomes
very tense at times. do not hest
tate to express my opinions with
brutal frankness. This does not
move him. am learning how little
we are worth in the opinion of the
Germans.
1.-THE atmosphere is cold. Not a
word is exchanged during dinner.
Hitler is cordial, but he too is
impassive and implacable. He
speaks standing up, in the large
drawing room of his residence, be-
fore a table upon which some maps
are spread. He exhibits a profound
knowledge of military dispositions
"He speaks with calm and is
excited only when he urges us tc
! give Yugoslavia the final blow as
soon as possible.
Italy Only a StOOge
For Germany, He Finds
81 realize Immediately h
there is nothing that can be done
He has decided to strike, ane
strike he will. All of our argu
ments will not avail in the least
He repeats his belief that he car
locaIize the conflict in Poland, bu
his conviction that the great wal
must be fought while he and l
Duce still are young leads me tt
believe again that he acts in bae
: faith.
$50 far as the Germans are con
cerned. alliance with us means
onlv that the enemy will be obliged
to keep a number of divisions fac
ing US, easing the situation on thf
German war fronts.
"They care for nothing more
The fate that might befal us in
CONTINUED on Page Two; Col. l