-4-
 
retreat. He sees no personal friends and no foreigners
 
other than an occasional German. No one except Ciano
 
appears to have any influence with him, and the latter
 
very little.
 
     For these reasons I believe the United States can
 
make a very real and a very practical contribution
 
towards the cause of peace-by improving relations
 
between the two countries. For various reasons my
 
visit to Rome improved the atmosphere. The President's
 
personal letter to Mussolini was a powerful factor. If
 
members of the administration in Waabihgton would refrain
 
from using the word "Fascism" in attacking totalitarian
 
forms of Government, the injured sensibility of Mussolini
 
would be somewhat assuaged. If the United States appro-
 
priates a reasonable sum for participation in the Rome 
 
1942 Exposition, and if some practical way can be found 
 
for enhancing commercial relations between Italy and the
 
United States, American influence in Italy would sharply
 
increase.
 
       The chief request made of me by the Pope, by his 
 
Secretary of State, and by Count Ciano, was for me to 
 
Urge the President to utilize his influence with Mussolini 
 
 
to keep Italy out of the war. The President cannot ef-
 
fectively exercise any such influence unless relations
 
between the two Governments become decidedly more.
 
friendly and closer. The practical steps I have indi-
 
cated would contribute greatly towards that end.
 
         In my considered judgment a close relationship with
 
Italy today is feasible, and the recognition of the 
 
Ethiopian conquest is not immediately necessary in
 
                                   order