Il Piccolo
- The work at Geneva
- French ambassador received at Palazzo Chigi
- A Mussolini–Chamberlain meeting in prospect?
Il Piccolo expects Franco-German discussions to move from Geneva to the capitals and reports rumours of another meeting. It reproduces an official Franco-Italian communiqué after the assassination attempt, while explicitly treating a Mussolini–Chamberlain meeting as unconfirmed.
Selected, image-checked first-page passages; partial reading, not complete articles or the whole page.
Translation
The work at Geneva
GENEVA, 18.
After yesterday's conversation between Stresemann and Briand, the political story of Franco-German relations leaves Geneva and returns to its natural homes, the Wilhelmstrasse and the Quai d'Orsay. It now falls to the semi-official press in Berlin and Paris to prepare public opinion in their respective countries, which will receive more precise indications in the coming days.
Briand left yesterday evening. Few here believe his announced holiday will last long; it is more likely that he will seek to advance his policy as rapidly as possible. Indeed, there is talk that another meeting between the two ministers will soon follow, and a city in German-speaking Switzerland is being named as the venue.
French ambassador received at Palazzo Chigi
The official communiqué states:
“The French ambassador, who returned to Rome yesterday evening, was received today by His Excellency Mussolini. They held a long conversation about the situation arising from the recent assassination attempt.
“This situation was examined and clarified with regard to the attitude of the two governments.
“The Head of Government and the French ambassador agreed on the desirability of removing every cause of disturbance in the relations of cordial friendship existing between the two nations.” (Stefani.)
A Mussolini–Chamberlain meeting in prospect?
ROME, 18.
As is known, the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Austin Chamberlain, has arrived in Italy to embark on a Mediterranean cruise. He received a cordial message from Mr. Mussolini, delivered by the deputy prefect of Genoa. The British Foreign Secretary's presence in Mediterranean waters has again set rumors circulating in the capital's political and diplomatic circles of a possible meeting between the Head of Government, Mr. Mussolini, and the influential representative of the British government. Although the rumor requires confirmation, some credence is given to it in authoritative and usually well-informed circles.
Context
Why diplomacy moved back to Berlin and Paris
The Wilhelmstrasse and Quai d’Orsay stand for the German and French foreign ministries. Geneva made a personal encounter possible, but the ministers still had to secure support at home for its consequences. The reference to semi-official newspapers shows one route for that work: governments could prepare audiences for a change in relations through sympathetic press discussion before spelling out precise commitments.
An assassination attempt becomes a diplomatic issue
An attempt on Mussolini’s life took place in Rome on September 11, shortly before this issue. By then his position had changed from a prime minister answerable to parliament to a head of government wielding personal dictatorial power. The communiqué places the attack within relations between states: it reassures readers that the French ambassador and Mussolini have clarified their governments’ positions and intend to preserve friendship. An attack on the ruler is thus handled as a potential disruption to foreign policy.
Why a holiday could prompt talk of a summit
Chamberlain’s cruise provided proximity without announcing a formal diplomatic visit. A greeting carried by an Italian official could therefore be read as an opening for a meeting, and political circles began discussing the possibility. The distinction matters to the story: the news is the opportunity created by the foreign secretary’s itinerary and the expectations surrounding it, rather than a negotiation already under way.
Original
I lavori di Ginevra
GINEVRA, 18
Dopo il colloquio di ieri tra Stresemann e Briand, la cronaca politica dei rapporti franco-tedeschi esce dall'ambiente di Ginevra per ritornare alle sue sedi naturali, la «Wilhelmstrasse» e il «Quai d'Orsay», ed è alla stampa ufficiosa di Berlino e a quella di Parigi che spetta il compito di preparare l'opinione pubblica dei rispettivi paesi, che avranno nei prossimi giorni più precise indicazioni.
Partito ieri sera Briand, non si crede qui che il periodo di vacanza da lui annunziato abbia una larga durata, ed è invece probabile ch'egli si preoccupi di dare il più rapido corso possibile alla sua politica. Corre anzi la voce che un nuovo incontro tra i due ministri non si farebbe attendere, e si fa il nome di una città della Svizzera tedesca, come sede dell'abboccamento.
L’ambasciatore francese a palazzo Chigi
Il comunicato ufficiale dice:
“L'ambasciatore di Francia rientrato ieri sera a Roma, è stato ricevuto oggi da S. E. Mussolini, con il quale ha avuto un lungo colloquio intorno alla situazione creatasi in seguito al recente attentato.
Questa situazione è stata esaminata e chiarita per quello che concerne l'atteggiamento dei due Governi.
Il Capo del Governo e l'Ambasciatore di Francia hanno convenuto sull'opportunità di eliminare ogni causa di turbamento nei rapporti di cordiale amicizia esistenti fra le due Nazioni”. (Stefani).
Probabile incontro Mussolini-Chamberlain?
ROMA, 18
E' giunto, come è noto, in Italia per imbarcarsi per una crociera nel Mediterraneo, il ministro degli Esteri inglese sir Austin Chamberlain, che ha ricevuto un cordiale messaggio dell'on. Mussolini, rimessogli dal viceprefetto di Genova. La permanenza del ministro degli Esteri inglese nelle acque mediterranee fa nuovamente circolare negli ambienti politici e diplomatici della Capitale la voce di un probabile incontro del Capo del Governo on. Mussolini con l'autorevole esponente del Governo britannico. Sebbene la voce meriti conferma, pure ad essa si dà qualche credito nelle sfere autorevoli e di solito bene informate.
Source: Source: Internet Archive