-7-
 
of the problems of the minorities in those regions and
 
of the economic problems attendant thereon. He said:
 
"How can you expect a professor who has never before
 
visited Istria to render an intelligent report, after a
 
survey of only two days, upon what the people in that
 
region want, and upon how they can best take care of
 
themselves?" He said that even the most intelligent man
 
would require two years before making sound conclusions 
 
on that problem.
 
     The King made no reference whatever to relations
 
between Italy and France. He made no direct reference
 
to the conversation which he had had with Ribbentrop, 
 
but he let me gain the unmistakable impression that he 
 
was profoundly pessimistic as to the present policy of 
 
Germany, and as to the fact that the minds of the present 
 
German rulers were made up as to the pursuit of a military 
 
policy of conquest.
 
       As I got up to leave, I told the King of the Presi-
 
dent's gratification by the reply he had received from 
 
the King to the message sent by the President last autumn
 
when war had broken out.
 
     I added that I had been deeply impressed on many
 
occasions during my recent visit to Europe with the pro-
 
found respect shown for the King, and wlth the confidence
 
felt in His Majesty's desire to do what might be possible
 
bring about the reestablishment of peace in Europe.
 
The King looked at me and said: "I am afraid they don't
 
reailze how little I can do."
 
    " I then said: "Another thing I am greatly impressed 
 
with, not only as a result of my present visit to Europe,
 
                                                  but