Page 148

Parent Collaboration Between Japan, Germany and Italy Volume III
Date 23 February 1940
Language English
Collection Tavenner Papers & IMTFE Official Records
Box Box 15
Folder Japan, Germany, Italy Collaboration Vol 3
Repository University of Virginia Law Library
reasons) any armament measure considered essential by him. "The Duce confirmed that the same was true for Italy and summed up his impression of the discussion to the effect that the Axis powers still needed two, or three years to be well armed for a generaljconfliet and to be able to enter with prospects of victory. * * ♦ "General situation: Germany and Italy will not let_ themselves be provoked into, a conflj c.t but wi31 wait for what they consider the opportune moment. They will further strengthen their armaments and with a view to later joint ventures will enter into talks on the synchronization of self-sufficiency as well as the co¬operation of air and naval forces. In the meantime they will continue more vigorously than ever the war in the press, but will not undertake anything bigger. (Mien the Marshal said in this connection that Germany had recently acquired a whole series of territories and only needed peace to digest them, the Duce agreed most em¬phatically .) fTo speak of peace and to prepare for warr that is to say, for victory1 shall be the motto for the behavior of both countries. "On the wish of the Duce the above summation was read out loud once more by me in French and met with the approval of those taking part in the talk. "At the close the Duce remarked that both countries would maintain a lucid attitude and untroubled nerves