500.C001/823: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Long ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:25 p.m.]
112. Department’s circular telegram October 14, 10 a.m. Have just left Suvich.79 The Italian Government is indignant at German action. It has foreseen an impasse but did not expect the sudden and drastic step taken by Germany which is characterized as foolhardy. The Italians have adopted a waiting attitude for a few days to permit public opinion to take shape and believe that after public opinion has settled they may have some suggestion to make as a modus operandi. They do not now suggest, but it is inferable from Suvich’s conversation, that a plan would probably include invocation of the Four Power Pact.80 He said that in case it should be invoked they would naturally expect the United States to participate in the deliberations. They have no desire to subordinate the Conference or the League to the Pact which they consider as purely western European but feel that with Germany’s withdrawal from the Conference and her announcement of intention to withdraw from the League of Nations the Four Power Pact remains the only practical international treaty arrangement applicable to Germany. They believe that no country contiguous to Germany will make a hostile movement for the time being or until there is some provocation and feel that Germany can make no move nor can make any commitment until after her elections which they say are a useless proceeding [Page 270] since it is a foregone conclusion that the result in the controlled country will unanimously support Hitler. The Italian Ambassador at Berlin in his recent conversation with Hitler could get no specific suggestion as to the quantity of armament desired. He asked for something specific instead of the generalities contained in the German communication to England. They call attention to the fact that Germany withdrew once before from the Disarmament Conference and on her return received recognition of parity rights. While the Italians have no immediate plan they still feel that German leadership is entirely irresponsible and mentally and psychologically unbalanced.
Mailed Geneva.