How far it was possible to discuss such matters in Rome, Mr. Chamberlain could not say.
Referring to his forthcoming visit to Rome, Mr. Chamberlain said that he regretted that it had been suggested that he and Lord Halifax, the Foreign Secretary, be bound beforehand by some assurance that they were not going to betray any cause, "abandon any vital principle, or sacrifice any important interests.
Such suggestions were not only insulting to them, but were discourteous to their hosts, as suggesting that they would invite them to do any such thing.
"We are not going to Rome with any fixed agenda, or with the expectation of bringing back any speci-fie Agreement" Mr. Chamberlain added.
"We are going there to exchange views with the Italian Government on all matters of common interest to ju We are going with the general de-to improve our relations, to oba better understanding of one another's point of view, and, through the personal contact which we will establish there, to strengthen the.confidence between us.
"That confidence must necessarily contribute to the general stability of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.