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

CONTINUED from rage OHeJ
NEWSPAPERS had reported that the
Lombard metropolis received the
German foreign minister with nos
tility. and that this was proof OF
Mussolini's diminished personal
prestige. He was ir a rage.
BY telephone 1 received orders
to.accept the German demands 1or
an. alliance, which I had left IN
suspense for more than year ard
had thought of so leaving for mucn
longer. The Pact of Steel was
born. The decision that was to nave
such evil influence on the entire
life and future OF the Italian people
was due exclusively to a dictator S
spiteful reaction to the lrrespon-
sible and worthless statement OF
some foreign 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 know
ledge, Germany advanced Its
claims against Poland in the sum-
mer of 1899. Won Ribbentrop de-
MED repeatedly to our ambassador
that Germany intended to push the
dispute to Its ultimate conse-
ouences, but I was dubious and
wanted to be, certain, and August
II went to Salzburg.
while we were waiting to be
seated at the dinner table, Won
Ribbentrop told me of the German
decision to touch off the powder
key. He said it in the same tone
he might have used about an incon
seouential administrative detail.
We were walking together in the
garden.
-. Well. Ribbentrop.' l asked.
what do you want? Danzig, or the
Corridor (Polisn CORRIDOR?
T" More than that, he said, look
ing at me with his cold, metallic
eyes. We want war
81 felt the decision was irrevo-
cable, and 1 saw the tragedy that
was facing humanity. The CONVEX
Stations with my German colleague
were not always cordial, and they
lasted for 10 hours that day. Those
I had with Hitler lasted as many
hours on successive days. My ar
euments made absolutely no i'm.
preston.
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
objected was overruled some even
ridiculed.
Their plans were wrong fanda-
mentally. They were certain that
France and England would remain
neutral during the slaughter of Po-
land Ribbentrop wanted to oct
with me during one of those gloomy
meals at the Osterreichhof in Salz-
burg. l was to forfeit an Italian
painting in the event of Anglo
French neutrality. If Ribbentrop
lost he was to give me collection
of antique arms. Many witnesses
were there, but Won Ribbentrop has
preferred to forget the bet.
"Hitler reached the stage of tell
ing me at last that as a southerner
I could not understand how much
he, a German, needed to lay his
hands on the Polish forests.
:"From Salzburg on, until we en-
tered the war, the policy Of Perrin
towards Italy was network of
lies, intrigue and deceit We have
never been tire Led as partners, but
always as slaves. We were never
consulted. The most fundamental
decisions were communicated to us
only after they Lad been executed.
Only the shameful cowardice of
Mussolini could tolerate and over
look it without offense
The attack on Russia was
brought to my knowledge half an
hour after the German troops had
crossed the eastern border. Yet this
was matter OF supreme impor-
lance in the course Of the European
conflict.
THE preceding Sunday, June Is,
1 was with Won Ribbentrop in Ven
ice, discussing the inclusion Of