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          He then drew his chair towards the center of the room, and motioned to me to do 
 
likewise. (I assumed that the omnipresent German Secret Police dictaphones must be installed in 
 
the walls rather than in the central lighting fixtures.)
 
          We had for a while a desultory conversation, in the course of which he took occasion to 
 
say how highly he regarded Kirk, who, in his opinion, had done wonders in a singularly difficult 
 
situation, and I corresoonded--to his obvious pleasure--by saying that I thought Thomsen in
 
Washington had shown great tact and discretion in an equally difficult situation.
 
          I then reverted to my conversation with Ribbentrop.  I said that if the feeling of the 
 
German Government was as decisive as that of Herr von Ribbentrop that was the only course, I 
 
would be needlessly taking up the time of the German authorities by prolonging my stay. I said,
 
however, that while, as Herr von Weizsacker would be the first to appreciate, my conversations in 
 
Rome would be regarded as entirely confidential by me, I, nevertheless, felt entirely able to tell 
 
him that my impressions after talking with the Duce were that in the latter's Judgment a basis for a 
 
just and lasting peace could still be found before it was too late.
 
          Herr von Weizsacker thought a good three minutes before saying anything. He then leaned 
 
towards me and said, "It ls of the utmost imoortance that you say that personally to the Fuehrer."
 
          I waited a moment myself, and then asked: "Let me have your personal advice, for I am 
 
now asking an entirely personal and individual question. Do you believe that any suggestions