The speech recently made by Count Galeazzo Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister, gave no encouragement to proponents of better Allied-Italian relations, but it should be remembered, political quarters emphasized, that the final decision rests solely with Signor Beno Mussolini.
Other important factors in Italy's ultimate decision are the degree of Germany's military successes, the likelihood of their continuation and the "preparation" of Italian public opinion for entry into war.
In dictatorships, it is well known that public opinion does not have the power it has in democracies, but it does wield some influence upon critical decisions. Moreover, the British circles continued, it should be remembered that the Allies are maintaining all precautionary measures in the Mediterranean. These measures are essential.
At the same time, the British Government's attitude remains the same as it has been in the past of doing nothing to hurt Anglo-Italian relations, but also to be prepared for any emergency, these observers concluded.—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.