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suggestions for peace conversations proffered by the Duce would have any favorable reception 
 
here?"
 
          This time Herr von Weizsacker waited a good five minutes before answering. His reply 
 
was: "What I have already said about the Fuehrer answers a part of your question. But (and he 
 
motioned to the Foreign Office in which we were) here the relations between Germany and
 
Italy have narrowed (and I use his exact English word) greatly."
 
          The interpretation I give to this statement is that if the Duce approaches Hitler directly and 
 
secretly, it will have decisive influence. If Ribbentrop knows of the approach, he will do his 
 
utmost to block it.
 
          During the remainder of our hour's talk, Weizsacker talked of his regard for Neville 
 
Henderson and of his belief that in August war could have been averted by a more intelligent 
 
policy by the Poles. As I took leave, the tears came into his eyes as he said he knew I would
 
realize how earnestly he hoped that the mission with which the President had entrusted me might 
 
show there still was a way by which an absolute holocaust could be avoided.