740.00119 Control (Italy)/2–745: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State (Grew)
Nr: Argonaut 45. Ref your No. 14.1
As so clearly stated in the comments of the American members on the CCAC, the recent directive which was finally agreed to on Italy falls so far short of what we believe it should contain and has in it so little of substance for the Italians, that I feel it would have a disappointing and unfortunate effect both in the U. S. and in Italy. Our original tentative acceptance of the idea of issuing such a statement was made on the assumption that measures of real help both moral and material to Italy would result from the discussions on the Macmillan proposal.2 This has not proved to be the case and there seems therefore no reason to issue any public statement at this time. Matthews and I discussed this matter with Ambassador Kirk and he emphatically shares our view. Allstate Horseshoe.
- Not printed.↩
- For the aide-mémoire of February 24, 1945, from the Acting President of the Allied Commission in Italy (Macmillan) to the Italian Government, see United States and Italy 1936–1946: Documentary Record, Department of State Publication 2669 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1946).↩