763.72119/2643: Telegram

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

2366. My 2356, November 15. I received today memorandum from Swiss Minister4 referring to conversation I had with him, see 2345 [2356?],3 and concerning question of uniting with Switzerland Vorarlberg and Tyrol, which has been [discussed] in press. He evidently wished to put in writing his position regarding matter, stating that if Vorarlberg should ask to be united with Switzerland, the Federal Government would examine seriously question, [Page 187] taking inspiration from President Wilson’s principles that Vorarlberg is territory more united Switzerland than to Austria and at the present moment he understands petition being circulated among population Vorarlberg in favor incorporation into Switzerland Swiss Government, however, not yet approached on matter. Swiss would not refuse to examine desires neighbor populations, though has never expressed a wish of territorial expansion. He does not think question uniting Tyrol to Switzerland will arise. This memorandum closes with reference to fact that Switzerland, the small model society of nations, is happy to be able to count on sympathy and comprehension of great American democracy, which phrase, I think, refers to apprehended possibility that hereafter Italy might ask Switzerland to return to her Italian Ticino Canton, taking Tyrol as compensation.

Nelson Page
  1. Post, p. 191.
  2. Supra.