File No. 861.00/2488
The Chargé in Sweden ( Whitehouse) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 14, 3.34 a.m.]
2643. Italian Minister received last night … telegram from Italian Consul at Moscow in which he stated that before permitting departure from [of] the military missions, Soviet demanded that the interested governments guarantee that officers and soldiers will not be employed directly or indirectly against the Russian Government; likewise that each officer should give his word not to take part directly or indirectly in any act hostile to the Soviet. Italian Consul states that the other military missions have consented but Italians refuse until instructed by commander in chief. He asks urgent reply and says that as situation is very dangerous he has turned over Italian interests to Swedish Consul General and is trying to leave.