File No. 763.72/7547
The Chargé in Switzerland ( Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 3, 5.05 a.m.]
1969. Ador, Chief of Political Department, in conversation October 31, told me that at beginning of war Italy voluntarily addressed a letter to the Swiss Federal Council stating that although Italy was not a signatory to the treaty guaranteeing the neutrality of Swiss territory still Italy would not violate that neutrality.
Ador suggested that it would have a most happy effect upon Swiss opinion and as he stated “shut the mouths of the Germans “if America would voluntarily make some such statement or authorize me to make it. He explained that there was a certain uneasiness in Switzerland as to America’s intentions, intimating that it was aided by German propaganda, since we had not signed the treaty of neutralization. At my suggestion he admitted that General Wille’s unfortunate phraseology (see my press telegram 1821 of [Page 756] October 81) had strengthened it. He took pains to assure me that this was merely an informal suggestion on his part.
My impression is that once this matter has been broached to our Government, no matter how informally, some declaration should be made, perhaps to the effect that United States will not violate neutrality of Switzerland so long as latter maintain that neutrality.
Note from Italian Minister referred to dated August 19, 1914, after preamble, reads in translation:
Although Italy is not one of the signatory powers to the act of November 20, 1815, recognizing and guaranteeing the perpetual neutrality of Switzerland and the inviolability of its territory the Government of the King is always inspired by the principles consecrated by this act and is firmly resolved to observe this attitude in the future.
- Not printed.↩