THE VISIT . TO ROME [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR]
Sza,—On the eve of Mr. Chamberlain's journey to Rome to confer with Signor Mussolini, is it too much to suggest to him, through your columns, that the visit, if not abandoned altogether, should at least be postponed indefinitely until the conditions of European politics render it less likely to cause trouble between ourselves and France, or to lead to further apparently harmless concessions that will still more consolidate Italy's position in the Mediterranean and East Africa at our expense ?
When the Prime Minister left on his historic flight to Munich he quoted the old saying " If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again " ; but there is another he would do well to bear in mind, i.e. " Will you walk into my parlour ? said the spider to the fly."
The idea of his going to Rome apparently came from Signor Mussolini, and judging by his past record the latter evidently expects to get some substantial advantage out of it. It is hard to see, however, what Mr. Chamberlain hopes to gain from his visit. His unfailing trustfulness towards Signor Mussolini, in spite of many jars, does not inspire confidence in his future dealings with him.
It has been suggested elsewhere that the visit should be made conditional on the terms of the Anglo-Italian Pact, especially as regards Spain, being first strictly carried out ; and if this were done it would be some evidence of Signor Mussolini's good faith, as well as being a more dignified position for the Prime Minister of Great Britain to take up.
It is rather curious that no organised effort seems to have been made in Parliament, by motion or otherwise, to induce Mr. Chamberlain to give up the idea, which at best most mem- bers must regard with doubts of its wisdom.—I am, Sir,
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