462.00R296/4062: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Italy (Garrett)
92. The Embassy’s telegram No. 105, June 23, has just reached the Department. You will please express to Signor Grandi the pleasure which I feel at the acceptance in principle by Mussolini of the President’s proposed plan.
Whether or not the Italian Government is contemplating at the present time linking the demands relating to the Customs Union with the acceptance of President Hoover’s proposal, I leave to your judgment to determine, in view of the above message. You should withhold for the time being conveying the considerations in my telegram No. 90, June 23, 3 p.m., if you are of the opinion that they have put aside this idea.
However, should you consider that the observations which the Head of the Government anticipates presenting later on to the United States are in any way related to the demands outlined in your telegram No. 101, you should proceed with the utmost tact and caution to discuss with Signor Grandi the points cited in my telegram No. 90.
Should you be able to learn that no further actions or decisions will be undertaken by the Italian Government within the next day or two, I should be glad to learn your views concerning my telegram [Page 223] No. 90 before you discuss with Grandi the points outlined therein. Nevertheless, should you anticipate that further decision or action is imminent which would be likely to connect the Customs Union matter with the acceptance of the President’s proposal, you should not delay your conversation with Grandi in order to communicate with me.