The visit of Herr von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister to -Rome, undertaken on the initiative of the Reich, is of particular interest at this juncture. Nothing has as yet been divulged as to the reasons for the trip, but the circumstance in which it is being made, the people it is intended that Herr von Ribbentrop shall see, and the general possibilities of the situation suggest that this particular move may be indicative of Herr Hitler's anxiety as to the immediate future. It is suggested that a new accord with Italy is necessary, or a tightening up of the Rome-Berlin axis, and its possible transformation into a Rome, Berlin, Moscow bloc, or at the least a modification of Italian views regarding the Kremlin, and an understanding with the Pope are some of the objectives which the Reich had in mind in despatching its Foreign Minister for this short visit to Rome. There does not appear to be any suggestion at this time that there is any real desire on the part of the Reich that Italy should actively participate in hostilities, for though Berlin would like to see Italy openly ranged on its side, it realizes that such a move would not be popular with the Italian masses which have always regarded the unnatural understanding between the two countries with at least silent disfavour if not open disgust, and Signor Mussolini is far too clever a statesman to permit himself to be dragged into any adventure of the sort without almost certain prospects of ultimate success. There are at present no such prospects, and consequently, it is somewhat premature to expect him to take part in any such gamble as that upon which Herr Hitler has so rashly embarked, Short of that Herr Hitler would undoubtedly consider his position strengthened if the bonds between himself and Il Duce which have noticeably weakened of recent months, were reinforced by a declaration of mutuality of purpose, which has become all the more necessary because of the success of British and Italian statesmen in coming to an amicable settlement over the question of German sea-borne coal exports to Italy. The very fact that this has been achieved has had a strong and favourable reaction in the capitals of the two countries, and it is only natural to believe that the Reich desire to do something to offset the excellent effect which has been achieved.
An announcement of the establishment of closer ties between the two countries would undoubtedly have a good psychological effect upon the German masses whose rulers have been unable to present them with any successes with which to reward them for the heavy sacrifices demanded of them. Even so minor an achievement as that which is suggested would be better than nothing, as some ray of hope in a scene which can only be viewed gloomily by the ordinary German at home. The suggestion that Herr von Ribbentrop is seeking to bring about a better understanding between Rome and Moscow, and even to bring about the establishment of a tripartite bloc, must not be ignored, even though it does not seem probable of success. The inveterate hatred which Signor Mussolini has against Communism, from which he saved his own country by determined action, is not likely to be changed quickly into either tolerance or even liking. Communism still presents a grave danger to Italy and Italian interests. Ideologically it is so completely opposed to all that Fascism stands for, that it is impossible to reconcile the two even if it is possible to arrange some temporary understanding for immediate purposes. Even that is doubtful, for Signor Mussolini would have no illusions as to the characters of the two governments with whom he would be asked to enter into closer collaboration.
While Italy has adhered faithfully to her commitments she has seen both Germany and Russia break theirs, and Rome may very well ask the question as to what reliance she can be expected to place in the words of rulers who, by their actions, have destroyed any reputation for good faith which they may have possessed. That, and the fact that out of the Rome-Berlin axis the only nation to benefit has been Germany, must surely place Signor Mussolini on his guard against entering into any other commitments which may lead him to having to pull more German nuts out of the fire of Herr Hitler's creation. A closer accord between Rome and Berlin may be possible, but the entry of Rome into a bloc in which the third member would be its greatest ideological enemy seems io be a development which could only be found in a political Wonderland.
And then, what of Herr von Ribbentrop's pilgrimage to Canossa? It would be only a trifle more spectacular if the visit to the Pope had been undertaken by Herr Hitler himself, as Emperor Henry IV humbled himself before Pope Gregory VII. In the light of all that has happened, the persecution of the Roman Catholic Church, the imprisonment of its priests and the spoliation of its property, it may quite rightly be asked why the Reich is making these overtures to the Pope. What is the imperative necessity which has brought about his change of heart? No one will for one moment think it is the repentance of the prodigal son, but is undertaken for the purpose of securing some reconciliation with Holy Church to remedy internal malaise caused by the atrocities which have been perpetrated against the Church and its sons in Germany and Austria. The Pope will doubtless regard these overtures with just the appropriate amount of cynicism which will prevent him being fooled as other leaders have been, and without a doubt he will proceed warily in any negotiations which may be embarked upon for an improvement of relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the Reich. The whole situation suggests that Herr Hitler is about to launch another dipplomatic campaign for peace, and that the expected offensive on the Western Front will not materialize until the resources of this attempted new development have been fully employed in an endeavour to extricate the Reich from the morass into which the eccentricities and duplicities of Herr Hitler have led it. The picture presented is not of a leader standing confident of victory, but of a man who is faced with the realization that he has stirred up something much greater than ever he anticipated, and desires at all costs to avoid the just retribution which it is believed, awaits him. That he thinks this himself may be taken for granted, for if Herr Hitler really believed in ultimate victory he would be pushing on towards it with all the military forces at his disposal. He does not believe it. His hesitation of the past to pro-secure the war with the energy he has promised his country and the world is clear and Positive proof that almost at the twelfth hour he is reluctant to cast the die.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.