It is an interesting suggestion that the death of Pope Pius XI may postpone the impending European crisis. The head of the Catholic world died with an appeal for peace upon his lips, and such an appeal coming from the spiritual leader of some 400,000,000 souls is not something which is lightly to be disregarded. Signor Mussolini may think twice before immediately launching his demands, not only because of the fact that for the next few weeks Italians will be more concerned with the identity of the late Pope's successor, but also because he may prefer to think twice before offending so imposing a body of religious thought as that presented by the Roman Catholic Church. If indeed there were to be a postponement of the crisis, it would not mean that there would not be a great deal of subterranean activity. That view seems to be supported by the report that Germany has renewed her invitation to M. Georges Bonnet, French Foreign Minister, to go to Berlin to confer with Herr von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister, on general European problems. That is to be read as an endeavour on the part of Germany to adjust by mediation the outstanding questions between France and Italy in accordance with the Franco-German non-aggression pact, Germany playing the role which was Italy's in connection with the Czechoslovak crisis. It would not seem, judging from recent French declarations on the subject of Italy's claims which have not yet been put forward officiall; that such a visit to Berlin would yield any lasting results, unless M. Bonnet could be persuaded to modify the attitude of his government which up to the present is uncompromising. At the same time it might afford the German Foreign Minister an opportunity of thoroughly exploring the French attitude, with a view that when Signor Mussolini's demands are made they might be framed as to meet with some degree of favourable reception by France. Undoubtedly on some points which have been put forward there is reason to believe that Italian aspirations could be met by compromise, though it is equally clear that on others there is little chance of France giving way.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.