500.A15a3/1223: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Garrett) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 31—6:44 p.m.]
103. From Gibson. Rosso came to see me this morning under instructions from Grandi and asked me to go over the whole naval problem with him. After full explanations Rosso expressed himself as inclined to feel that the plan you have suggested offered the best way out for Italy yet devised, at the same time holding advantages for the French which they would not find it easy to resist.
Rosso repeated what Grandi had said yesterday, to the effect that the Italians were anxious to avoid building up to parity with the French, and he added that the solution suggested would enable Italy to forego building without incurring the reproach that the principle of parity had been abandoned.
Today Grandi lunched at the Embassy and talked over the naval problem for a short time in terms which seemed to us distinctly more optimistic than were those he used yesterday regarding the possibility of solving the present problem.
This afternoon at 5 o’clock he took me to make a courtesy call on Mussolini. We discussed the general work of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference for about 20 minutes, but no reference was made to the French-Italian naval problem. (I gathered the impression that this silence may have been so that Mussolini might be in a position to say to the press that we had not discussed French-Italian relations, in view of the sensational reports from Washington appearing in the press to which I referred in my telegram No. 102, October 31, 7 p.m.; I emphasize fact that this subject was not discussed so that you may be in position to handle any erroneous press despatches.)
I expect to leave Rome either Monday or Tuesday, going directly to Geneva.