Dictators at the Brenner
The meeting of Hitler and Mussolini at the Brenner Pass last Monday, attended by their respective Foreign Ministers and Chiefs of Staff, has been the subject of infinite speculation. Hitler's need of Mussolini is not so apparent as Mussolini's need of Hitler, but the latter is not wont to stage such meetings except for definite purposes of his own. From a military point of view Mussolini has proved as much a liability as an asset, and has scarcely established a claim to fruits of conquest in southern France, Corsica, or Tunisia, though he has been thrown a crumb in Croatia. But even from a military point of view the geographical position of Italy is important, afford- ing in Sicily a base of operations in the middle Mediterranean, while the Dodecanese are valuable stepping-stones towards Cyprus and Syria, and contribute to the encirclement of Turkey. Moreover, Hitler may have a use for what remains of Italy's fleet. But there are political as well as military considerations which must weigh with Hitler in his dealings with Mussolini. The Axis has become a symbol which cannot lightly be dis- carded. If there is any truth in the suggestion that Hitler thinks the time is approaching for the establishment of a " Continental peace," based upon his own New Order—and there well may be—he would require a completely docile France which should not be offended by enforced concessions to Italy, and he would desire co-operation with Spain, which Italy might be in a position to facilitate. Italy may be of little military value, but she has sentimental and geographical uses.
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