File No. 102.1/427
The Ambassador in France ( Sharp) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 27, 6.10 p.m.]
2794. No. 10 for Secretary of Treasury:
Referring your No. 10. My No. 9 has already recommended that we give free credit Italian Government of $7,500,000 for November and December. British Government doing likewise. This request came before recent disaster. Since then nothing definite received by Italian representatives or by British Treasury in London. I communicated also directly with Nitti, Finance Minister, asking figures. Received long letter from him but wholly without specifications of financial needs but indications that program will soon be prepared possibly for presentation to conference next week. If Ambassador has presented definite requests in Washington and you desire go further now with commitments, suggest that assurance be given of support for all material that may be recommended by conference or by Inter-Ally Council for purchases in United States. Seems impossible without further data to pass upon requests which Nitti’s letter suggests will be made for help quite beyond United States purchases. General assurance of support recommended in my No. 5 might specifically include cost of cereals, amount for each ally to be determined probably this week. If this done must be recognized that considerable part will be spent outside of United States, as Italy’s part of our exportable surplus may not cover her needs for year. Active participation of England and France in Italian campaign now renders more important than before coordinated study of munition program. It was this thought which inspired special reference to that delay in my telegrams Nos. 5 and 9. Character and quantity of material required by Italian Army and which would be covered by additional orders in America is being studied by general staffs but immediate pressure of German attack delays determination, hence I have concurred in Bonar Law’s view by recommending that your definitive commitment be subject to further study of needs by council. This will not delay any substantial action nor would it interfere with moral effect already contemplated by my recommendation in No. 5. Crosby.