Text Version


 
 
He visited Rome after being in Florence a few days, and  
talked with friends and acquaintances who represented both the  
official point of view, the view of the intelligentsia and  
Capitalistic groups, and also gained an impression of the attitude of
the public generally.  In official circles there is a well defined
feeling that Italy" was very badly treated at the conclusion of the
peace, and needs expansion to care for its over-populated country with
a growing population. Their attitude was not warlike and expressed the
view that the demands which had been made of France had gone too far,
especially in respect to Nice, Corsica and Tunis. The view of the
intelligentsia and Capitalistic groups was one of very great fear that
some event might precipitate trouble; that  
the influence of the United States was very great, and that the record
which  
had been made of her attitude through the statements of the President,
the   
Secretary- of State, and others, had been extremely helpful and was
welcomed  
by the Italian people. The public attitude is against war except in
respect   
to a group of younger men limited in number who were carried away with
enthusiasm attendant upon prospective action not based on thoughtful
analysis   
or the dangerous consequences to themselves or to their country if
their   
aims were not achieved.
 
 
 
He called at the Vatican to present his compliments to Cardinal
Pacelli,   
whom he saw 'a number of times in America and where he had entertained
during his visit there, and was received by a member of the Cardinal's
entourage, Monsignor Hurley, who indicated very great interest in the
American attitude as ab. ove expressed, and a fear that some ill
advised  
act might precipitate real trouble and the hope that wherever a word
could   
be spoken that would slow down the action, that it was wise to speak
it,   
especially if it came from America.  This same view was expressed by
Bishop  
Hayes, formerly of Pittsburgh, now head of the American Catholic
College in  
Rome.  Bishop Hayes had enlarged on the spontaneousness of the
reception   
given Chamberlain on his visit to Rome, and indicated that the Italians
had   
contrasted it with the organized reception given Hitler on his visit.
 
 
 
In Florence he entertained one of the Italian Royal Fam-  
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