Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-06-18
Continued From First Page

morrow will analyze and assess the
events that have occurred.
THE Italian tragedy had its be-
ginning in August, 1899. On my
own initiative I went then to Salz-
burg CHitler's headquarters) and
found myself suddenly face to face
with the cold, cynical German de-
termination to provoke conflict.
The alliance with the Germans)
had been signed in May. had
always opposed it. and had con-
trived that persistent German offers
would be long delayed and thus in
effective. There was no reason
whatsoever, in my opinion, to be
bound life and death to the destiny
Of Nazi Germany.
Instead, I had favored a policy
Of collaboration, for in our geo.
graphical situation we can and must
detest, but cannot ignore, 10000, 900
Germans brutally' brought together
in the heart of Europe.
THE decision to cement the al
lance was taken suddenly by Mus
solini while I was in Milan with
Won Ribbentrop. Some American
newspapers had reported that the
Lombard metropolis received the
German foreign minister with hos
tility. and that this was proof of
Mussolini's diminished personal
prestige. He was in a rage.
German Demands Accepted
To Spite Foreign Press.
by telephone I received orders
to accept the German demands for
an alliance, which l had left in
suspense for more than year and
had thought Of so leaving for much
longer. The Pact of Steel was
born. The decision that was to have
such evil influence on the entire life
and future of the italian people was
due exclusively to dictators spite
full reaction to the irresponsible and
worthless statements of some for
eign journalists.
The alliance had clause that
for three or four years neither Italy
nor Germany would raise questions
that might disturb European peace
instead, and without our knowl-
edge. Germany advanced its claims
against Poland in the summer of
1889. Won Ribbentrop denied re-
peatedly to our ambassador that
Germany intended to push the dis
pute to its ultimate consequences
but I was dubious and wanted to be
certain, and August II I went to
Salzburg.
While we we're waiting to be
seated at the dinner table, Won Rib
bentrop told me of the German de.
cision to touch off the powder keg
He said it in the same tone he
might have used about an incense.
quential administrative detail. w.
were walking together in the garden
We'll, Ribbentrop,' I asked
what do you want? Danzig, or the
Corridor Polish Corridor p
More than that he said. look.
ing at me with his cold. metallic
eyes. we want war.
Il felt the decision was irrevoc.
able, and I saw the tragedy tina,
was facing humanity. The CONVEX.
sations with my German colleague
were not always cordial. and the,
lasted for 10 hours that day. Thos.
I had with Hitler lasted as many
hours on successive days. My argu-
ments made absolutely no impress
sion
Now nothing could prevent the
execution of this criminal program
long planned and fondly discussed
in those somber meetings between
the Fuehrer and his intimates. The
madness of their chief had become
the religion of his followers. Every
objection was overruled, some even
ridiculed.
Ribbentrop's Decision
for War Irrevocable.
Their plans were wrong funda-
mentally. They were certain that
France and England would remain
neutral during the slaughter OF
Poland. Ribbentrop wanted to BET
with me during one of those
~: *ss&;:Esaa ALL