File No. 763.72/11096

The Ambassador in Italy ( Page ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram—Extract]

1947. Political situation. No change apparent except that the Corriere delta Sera, leading Milan paper, is conducting violent campaign against foreign policy of Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sonnino, charging that terms of pact of London by which Italy entered war should be revised as in present form [likely] to alienate American and other Allied sympathy for being too grasping and disregarding Jugo-Slav aspirations. Giornale d’Italia, leading Rome paper, and others support Sonnino. Italians in general believe in Sonnino whom they realize is honest and personally disinterested from petty ambitions. He appears to care nothing for politics, and his strength lies in above fact, and knowledge that he is staying on in office from sense of duty to his country. …

Chamber probably reassembles last week in September. American pro-war Socialists met representative of official Socialist Party in private debate but from résumé given press were unable to alter latter’s anti-war attitude. American delegation has left for Milan and Switzerland. Visit of Congressional naval committee very successful; upon occasion my presenting them to Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, most cordial speeches were exchanged. Minister of Marine gave a banquet for the committee who were guests Italian Government during their brief stay in Rome before visiting front.

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Nelson Page