-4-
clear conscience. Ciano commented this with: "He is a liar and a
traitor." The quadruplex De Vecchi wanted the war, and Ciano commented:
"to have other honours and other medals. Count Grandi also urged for the
war.
THE OCCUPATION OF NORWAY
Thaon de Revel showed Ciano a very strange Finance theory, which
probably had already been laid 'before Mussolini. "And it is true" he said
"that our financial position is not flourishing, and that our gold-
reserves are soon finished, but therefore there is no reason for worry:
the gold is of no importance whatsoever now: it is the work that countsand
we can therefore calmly enter the war."
It was at the end of March 1960 - if I remember right March 26th, that
Mussolini took his final decision. Nothing had happened. That day
Mussolini on leaving his office, met Ciano. As he saw him, he lifted his
finger and pointing to Oiano's face, he said: "Germany will win the war.
You must get that into Your heads, all of You, beginning with You,
work according to that basis."
And from that day, there was not one moment; of hesitatation.
He marched towards the abyss with resolute steps and with the stubbornness
of a crazed mule.
It was at the time of the occupation of Norway, that
Mussolini's disturbed mentality reached its height and developed into a
state of perfect madness. In the night of April 9 - 10th, 1940 at four
o'clock, Ciano was called to the telephone. It was the Ambassador of
Germany, yon Mackensen. "I must, he said, at once deliver a message of
ost Importance to "Il Duce", will You please accompany me"..