FRANCE: Without Displeasure”

An invitation to Signor Mussolini, requesting a personal conference with him, was the nub of a speech delivered, last week, to the Chamber of Deputies by Foreign Minister Aristide Briand. Said he: “Speaking for myself and for my country, we are friends of Italy. … Despite the friction which is said to exist, I am firmly convinced that an accord can be made between the two countries. . . . During the War, Signor Mussolini was one of the greatest helpers in the collaboration of his country with France and I never can forget it. I am asked why I do not confer with him. Yet we have met several times and I would meet him again tomorrow without the least displeasure. . . .”

Although a large section of the Chamber rose cheering, at this remark, the Italian Ambassador at Paris, Count Manzoni, was reported vexed that M. Briand had chosen so lukewarm a phrase as “without displeasure.” Next morning obliging Aristide Briand declared that he had actually said “with pleasure,” and the official stenographic record of the Chamber was altered accordingly.