The implications of his address have, in my opinion, been
exaggerated. The Ambassador was speaking at a " get-together " party given for Germans and Italians only. He wished to affirm the solidarity of the Axis and to dispel the rumours that he and the Duce did not see eye to eye in regard to foreign policy. These rumours had reached fantastic proportions and it was whispered even that Count Grandi was in communication with Count Sforza in his Brussels exile. It was essential for him to prick these useless bubbles, and since the bubble rumour in these days has a casing as tough as any football, he had to use the Fascist dagger for his purpose. The speech was not addressed to British opinion, still less to French opinion; it was addressed to Berlin and Rome. Count Grandi's presence in London is an important asset in present diplo- macy; no serious person has ever doubted his loyalty either to his rulers or to the Axis policy ; yet he understands us and we trust him. It were better done to erase his out- burst from our memories.
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