Word: bribed
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1940-1949
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
When Hitler attacked the Low Countries, U. S.-Italian trade almost got the biggest boost yet-on U. S. initiative. Ambassador to Italy William Phillips, on orders from the White House, offered Mussolini a desperate bribe to stay out of the war: a treaty of friendship, a trade agreement, new credits. Such appeasement must have flattered Il Duce. Nevertheless, Il Duce refused. Meanwhile parallel British appeasement feelers, equally fruitless, resulted in a temporary easing of contraband inspection of Italian vessels passing Gibraltar. Last week Italy made hay while the sun still shone...