Evening star., 1946-12-15
1881 Documents Show
U. 5. Officials Voiced
High Opinion Of Laval

Hlgn VplnlOn VI Ldvol
Mussolini was annoyed" at fol-
lowers OF Hitler for preSuming to
call themselves Fascists, and top
American officials had a high opin-
ion" Of Pierre Laval only few years
before his name was linked with the
two leaders in Axis infamy, 1t was
revealed In some 15-year-old secret
papers published by the State De-
pArtment last night.
The papers were taken from the
files in 1881, year In which Laval,
as Prime Minister OF France, and
Dino Grand, Italian Foreign Min
lister. were honored visitors in WASH
inkton. Laval was executed In
France last year for his Vichy gov
ernment's collaboration with the
Nazis during World War II. Grandi
is living in Portugal. where he ned
after taking part In the ls43 over
throw of Mussolini.
In memorandum of a talk with
Grandi on November 16, 1881, Will
liam r. Castle. jr.. then Undersec-
retary OF State, wrote:
HE (Grandi) took the occasion to
say that It annoyed the regime in
Italy to have the Hitlerites call
themselves Fascists as they had
nothing in common with Fascism.' y
Nazis' Rise Not Foreseen.
Mr.. Castle added that Grandi was
inclined to agree with the French
that 1t might be just as well to have
the Nazis in for q time as they would
not dare, in his opinion, seriously to
change German foreign policy
This was little more than = year
before Hitler did come to power
with results obviously surprising to
diplomats like Grandi.
Henry L. Stimson. wartime Sec
retary OF War, met Laval on .
visit to Europe rs Secretary Of
State In the summer OF 1881 and
arranged for President Hoover t1
invite the French Premier here that
fall.
In a memorandum dated Septem-
Der "a. 1881, Mr.. Stimson wrote. y
had formed 4 high opinion Of La
VAL" and II thought his influence
was for moderation in French
policy"
After the Laval visit, Mr.. Stim-
son recorded that President Hoover
had the same impression OF Laval
that I had, and that was the main
thing"
Last Of 1891 Papers.
The documents published last
night. in . 1,059-page volume. COM
plete the publication Of Papers Re-
lating to the Foreign Relations oil
the United States for 1881. Two
volumes have been published pre-
viously, one covering opposition to
Japan's march into Manchuria.
The latest volume traces develop
ment of United States policy in
the face OF widespread political I'M
rest and revolutions in Latin
America, and covers incidents In
relations with numerous European
countries.
In reviewing some of the docu-
ments, the State Department said
events In 1881 presented "A severe
test OF American diplomacy" which
was "endeavoring to avoid involve
ment in foreign controversies or In
teryention in the domestic affairs
Of other nations" while seeking to
use Its moral influence for peace
and stability
The Nazis were beginning to make
themselves felt in German politics
that year and succeeded by "mot
pressure" in forcing temporary
suppression in Germany Of the
movie "All Quiet on the Western
Front"
Blow TO German Regime.
Frederic M. Sackett, then Ameri.
can Ambassador to Germany, at.
tributed great Importance to the film
incident because through 1t the
Nazis succeeded In giving a great
blow to the prestige" Of the republi-
can government of Germany.
Troubles with Italy also were
shaping up in 1881 despite the
friendly nature of Grandi's visit. Mr.
Castle had to speak with what he
described as "a good deal OF vigor'
to the Italian Ambassador about
numerous arrests Of American citi.
zens for alleged statements "ueroga.
tory" to Mussolini while travelling
on Italian ships.
II told him." Mr.. Castle wrote in
an August 20, 1881. memorandum
that the italian authorities were
acting In a very stupid manner for
their own good" and that I'VE were
getting very fed up ourselves with
the situation" He suggested that
If the press got hold Of the situation
the result would be that very few
people would run the risk Of travel
ing on an italian line" There was
no record in the published papers Of
any further such arrests.