Even more important than M. Molotov's enthusiastically "neutral", pro-German speech at Moscow is the news that there has been a reshuffle of the Italian Cabinet, which has for the moment completely overshadowed everything else in significance. For it there are on the face of things two explanations: one that it is one of those periodical changes which Signor Mussolini has made before; and the other that Il Duce is confirming his independent, "wait and see' icy. There is pi a third reason given, which is probably over optimistic, that he is contemplating a volte face in his policies, but that seems to be completely offset by the importance of the first two. Signor Mussolini has all along been following a policy of realism, paying most attention to neutrality and the protection of purely Italian interests, and in his determination to keep his country. out of war is showing a quality of statesmanship which is not being displayed north of the Brenner Pass. Ever since Herr Hitler concluded his
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