NEWS OF THE WEEK T HE dictators of Italy and Germany
began their conversa- tions in Rerme on Wednesday, after Herr Hitler had been given the reception due to a Holy Roman Emperor. It is assumed that the talks concerned the problem of Czecho- slovakia. Signor Mussolini is said to be anxious for a pacific solution, and in one sense he can certainly make its achieve- ment easy. By ceding to Herr Hitler his economic influence in Hungary, and finally abandoning the policy embodied in the Rome Protocols, he can complete the economic encircle- ment of Czechoslovakia, which is likely to be Herr Hitler's method of reducing her to impotence. But it implies yet another sacrifice by Signor Mussolini to his partner, who so far has given little sign of his "eternal gratitude." Indeed, Signor Mussolini's only diplomatic success for some time, the Anglo-Italian agreement, has been obtained not because but in spite of the axis ; and the strongest diplomatic weapon left to him is his ability to desert his partner. Unless Herr Hitler has some very precise compensation, in Spain for instance, to offer for the loss of the Brenner, it is difficult to believe that the conversations will have a very easy course, or that anything in the shape of definite agreements embodied in formal documents will result. What can, however, be expected is a solemn reaffirmation of the solidity of the axis ; without that the two dictators would present a Somewhat debilitated appearance to the world and to their own peoples.
