763.72/2830½
The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 6.]
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I am sending you by this pouch a despatch of to-day’s date55 transmitting copies (translations) of the two Decrees promulgated last Friday by the Royal Regent here, relating to the confiscation of the property of subjects of countries at war with Italy or with her Allies, and to the prohibition of all dealings on the part of Italians everywhere and of others in Italy or her colonies with such subjects.
As I have stated in the despatch, I took up the matter of the blacklist which, it seems indicated in the Decrees, is about to be put forth, in conformity with the action already taken by England, pursuant to the Paris Conference,—I mean took it up quite informally, in the hope of forestalling such action here so far as relates to Americans, and I pointed out as clearly as I could how friendly our people at large are at present towards Italians, and the almost inevitable consequences of disturbing our present friendly relations if action shall be taken which we consider invasive of our rights.
I received the impression, from what the Minister said, that while no black-list has so far been made out, and there is certainly no desire on their part to do anything which might be considered as affecting our rights, the Paris Conference, which was agreed to by the participants therein, provided for measures whose object is to cut off all dealings with the countries at war with the Allies.
Baron Sonnino said that they had in mind the prevention of dealing on the part of Italians with these subjects. As I have already telegraphed you, in my telegram of the 11th instant, No. 68355 and in my telegram of to-day’s date, No. 688,56 these Decrees have been generally considered as having the purpose of drawing from Germany a declaration of war.
It seems now to be thought that Germany, for tactical reasons, will probably not make such a declaration and that Italy will have to take the initiative in this matter. Her Allies are undoubtedly pressing her with much urgency to take this step and I understand that it is accepted that while the two countries have been for some time substantially in a state of war with each other, and possibly no very great change will ensue from the formal declaration,—a declaration will solve certain difficulties which the Allies consider of much importance.
[Page 738]I find a very strong feeling, and a growing feeling here now, that the Allies have now got the longer end of the lever and must win.
We are forwarding by this pouch a report from our Consul at Venice58 which shows that the recent air-raid on the night of the 9th instant caused more destruction in Venice than has appeared in the press here. The destruction of the church of Santa Maria Formosa was enlarged on in all the papers here; but no mention was made of the destruction of a great cotton-mill there, or of the sinking of the British submarine in the basin of the Arsenal.
No mention has been made here of the heavy losses which it must have cost Italy to make the very decided and important advance which she has made above the Isonzo. No casualty lists are published here. The losses must have been very heavy; but the gains are considered here to be of the utmost importance.
I find in some quarters, reasonably conservative generally, the belief that the way is being rapidly opened to cut off Triest from Austria. In any event, it looks as though Italy had made a very important advance. Moreover, it has had a decided effect on public opinion.
I have not sent any information in regard to the sinking of the fine Italian dreadnaught, Leonardo da Vinci at Taranto at the mouth of the harbor, from some cause which has not so far been explained. I knew that the information would be sent by the naval attaché here, and nothing so far as I know has ever been said about it in the press here. There is talk of being able to raise the boat and at least save the imperishable part of its equipment; but it hardly seems likely to be possible.
Believe me [etc.]
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- Foreign Relations, 1916, supp., p. 40.↩
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