-2-
 
free from the ever present threat of aggression. I said
 
that I believed this to be the chief issue, and that
 
unless this problem were solved there seemed to be very 
 
little likelihood that any real or durable peace could 
 
be achieved.
 
     The Pope then stated that he did not believe that
 
the Germans would immediately undertake a military of-
 
fensive on the Western front. He said that he had been
 
informed that "technical" obstacles existed which would
 
render the undertaking of any such offensive unlikely for 
 
at least a month, and that he was further informed that 
 
the members of the German General Staff were definitely
 
opposed to any land offensive by Germany on the Western
 
line. The Pope said that he believed that intensified
 
air or maritime activity might be undertaken by Germany,
 
but nothing more.
 
         The Pope then said that he believed the President
 
would perform a service of the highest value in the inter-
 
est of peace by exerting his influence with Mussolini so 
 
that Italy would remain a non-belligerent. He said,
 
furthermore, that he believed closer and more friendly 
 
relations between the Italian Government and the Govern-
 
 
ment of the United States would be very valuable, not
 
only for the reason indicated, but also because of the
 
fact that if and when the time for peace arrived the two 
 
governments could usefully cooperate. He stated that he 
 
would inform the President in the fullest detail through 
 
Myron Taylor of any views which he might form as to the 
 
time and manner of undertaking any movement for peace, and 
 
believed that it might well be that the Vatican and 
 
the two governments mentioned could cooperate at some
 
                                                  future