800.51W89 Italy/218

The Acting Secretary of State to the Italian Ambassador (Rosso)

Excellency: In reply to Your Excellency’s note of June 14th, the President directs me to say that the Government of the United States notes that the payment of one million dollars has been made on account and as an acknowledgment by your Government of the debt due the United States. This Government notes also the request of the Italian Government for an opportunity to present representations concerning the entire debt question and in reply desires to inform you that it will be glad to confer with you in regard to this matter.

[Page 892]

Furthermore it is noted that the Italian Government has not made full payment at this time for the reasons which were presented to this Government by Finance Minister, Mr. Jung, during his recent visit to Washington, at which time he discussed Italy’s capacity to pay.

The Government of the United States, however, would not be entirely candid if it did not express its thought that a payment of one million dollars on a total payment due of $13,545,437.50 may be regarded in the United States as unsubstantial, and may occasion disappointment on the part of the Congress and the people of the United States.

Accept [etc.]

William Phillips