Dr. Bruning at Rome The little that has be2ome known
of the conversations between Dr. Bruning and Signor Mussolini at Rome indicates that a definite increase in the cordiality of the relations between the two countries resulted. Italy, like Germany, is in favour of the revision of the Peace Treaties in certain particulars. Italy, like Germany, is for taking a strong line on disarmament, if only from apprehension of the superior military strength of France. Italy, like Germany and unlike France, accepted immediately with enthusiasm President Hoover's reparation moratorium proposal, and it is of some significance that arrangements are said to have been made during the Rome talks for Italy to continue to buy German coal should the present statu- tory deliveries cease "as a result of the abolition of reparations." It is inevitable that the conversations at Rome should have been viewed with some uneasiness at Paris, for there could be no question that the German and Italian Prime Ministers were finding themselves at one on policies at variance with French ideas. But Dr. Bruning and Signor Mussolini seem to have been at pains to minimize that impression, and it is worth bearing in mind that Rome is as anxious as Paris to dissuade Germany from further naval construction, for every German ship will mean a French ship and every French an Italian.
