868.51 Public Works/43: Telegram

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

[Paraphrase]

31. Department’s 24, March 20, 6 p.m. Today an official of the Italian Foreign Office told me there have been no developments in the Seligman loan matter since my 28, March 14, 5 p.m., and I was given the impression that Italy is influenced largely in this matter by the views of Great Britain and France, which are said to be opposed to the Greek Government’s request about servicing the loan.

From the Greek Legation I learn that at the time the Greek Minister first discussed the Seligman loan at the Italian Foreign Office he was given to understand that it did not perceive any objection to the International Financial Commission servicing the loan, but the competent Italian financial authorities would have to be consulted before a definite view could be expressed on the question. Subsequently the Greek Minister was informed that the authorities mentioned did not oppose the Commission’s acceptance of service of the loan.

Fletcher