[Enclosure]
Translations of Reports in the Italian Press
of Interviews of Ambassador Long
Press of May 9, 1936:
Washington, May 8th p.m.—The American
Ambassador to Rome, Long, has granted an interview to the
Universal Service in which he said he was convinced of the rapid
and complete pacification of Ethiopia by Italian soldiers and
colonists.
After affirming that the fertile soil of the Ethiopian highlands
would give Italy valuable crops, Long said that his three years
in Rome had convinced him that Italy had absolute need of
colonies.
As to Italo-American relations, Long said: “The longstanding
friendship between the two countries has been cemented by
American neutrality in the Ethiopian affair. Italian cordiality
toward the United States is not merely the expression of
official circles but is also a matter of feeling.”
Press of May 13,
1936:
Vienna, May 12th: The Echo publishes an interview granted to its American
correspondent by the American Ambassador to Rome, Breckinridge
Long, at present in the United States.
The Ambassador expressed himself in terms of the highest
recognition for the courage demonstrated by the Italian people
toward the war and sanctions.
“Life in Italy,” he said, “has changed much less than people
insist on believing in various places abroad. The spirit of the
country has not been shaken in the slightest. Even Mussolini
personally has [Page 236] never
been in the least affected by the tension of the international
situation. Mussolini never doubted that he would issue forth
victorious, and he has won all along the line.
“Not only is the campaign in Abyssinia virtually over, but the
diplomatic struggle at Geneva is decided. Fascism has enforced
its will. There are no factors of any kind that can break that
will. This victory has the value of a new guarantee for peace in
Europe.
“Four months ago it indeed seemed that there were dangers of war
everywhere. Now, however, the situation is cleared up and a
relaxation of tension has therefore taken place. In my opinion
there can no longer be any immediate possibility of war now that
Italy can devote her full attention to the European
situation.”
The Ambassador said that there could be no doubt as to Italian
sympathies for Austria, and the correspondent further receives
from the conversation the impression that even American
diplomacy is in a position to appreciate the importance of the
problem of Austrian independence.