24 OCTOBER 1931, Page 3

Signor Grandi's Travels Signor Grandi's visit to Berlin this week-end

is some- thing more than- a mere return, of courtesies. The Italian Foreign Minister -has become increasingly a European personality since he took over the portfolio of foreign affairs from Signor Mussolini two years ago, and hit presentation of Italy's case at Geneva and at various international conferences has been consistently skilful. At the present moment Italy and Germany see eye to eye on disarmament, debts and reparations and (with some necessary reservations on Italy's part) on the revision of treaties, and the importance of their identity of view is by no means diminished by the fact that on all these points they find themselves making common cause against France. It is European problems rather than any special questions arising between their two countries that Dr. Bruning (now his own Foreign Minister) and Signor Grandi are likely to discuss together, and when the latter sails for America in a fortnight's time it will clearly strengthen him in his talks with Mr. Hoover_to be able to convey to the White House some report of the German Chancellor's views as well as setting forth his • own. Incidentally, of course, Signor Grandi has for some days been in contact with Lord Reading and M. Briand at Geneva.