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- |