711.6512Anti-War/77: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Fletcher) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:47 p.m.]
78. Department’s No. 86, July 23, noon.7 In the absence from Rome of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I discussed subject referred [Page 129] to in your telegram with Under Secretary Grandi. The Under Secretary stated that if we asked whether Spain in particular should be invited to become an original signatory, their reply, in view of the friendly relations between Italy and Spain, would be in the affirmative; but that if we asked generally whether the treaty should be opened to inclusion of number of other nations, Italy would doubt expediency of the plan. Grandi said further that if Spain and other nations were included, Italy would very much like to have Hungary one of them.
I have the impression that Government of Italy will be quite satisfied if you carry out your original intention.
I was told yesterday by French Ambassador that he had extended an invitation to Mussolini to come to Paris to sign treaty, but that latter had told him that, as you had already been informed through me, it would be impossible. Grandi told me this morning that he had conveyed to Mussolini my suggestion that Grandi might sign for Italy, but that he had not had time to discuss matter fully with Mussolini before latter’s departure from Rome. On Mussolini’s return to Rome next week, Grandi will take up subject with him again.