800.51 W 89Italy/18: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Fletcher ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 16—5:17 p.m.]
34. Ambassador de Martino, who will sail for the United States on February 18, has informed me that he will be in a position to explain the attitude of the Italian Government on its war debt to the United States; Italy, he says, has no intention of repudiating this debt. The Government hopes, however, that Italy’s resources and [Page 163] capacity to pay will be taken into consideration. I gather that the Government is not yet decided whether or not to negotiate for debt settlement with us at same time France does, perhaps conjointly with her. I have discouraged this view and have suggested that Italian Government negotiate without the interposition of third parties. It is my belief, however, that they will try to wait in order to see what arrangement we make with France.