File No. 365.117/34a.

The Secretary of State to Ambassador Page.

[Telegram.]

51. Your 34, October 2, concerning detention naturalized American citizens in Italy. In absence of naturalization treaty all you can do is to express earnestly this Government’s interest in persons concerned and desire for their release, especially in view of destitute condition, in most cases, of their families here. Emphasize fact that this Government is interested only in bona fide citizens and not in those who have expatriated themselves by protracted residence abroad or whose naturalization was procured in bad faith.

Bryan
.