365.1121 Cimador, Guido/10

The Consul at Trieste (Winslow) to the Secretary of State

No. 289

Sir: With reference to the Department’s telegram of August 3, 6 P.M. requesting a report on the arrest of Guido Cimador, a naturalized American, at Prato Carnico on June 3, 1933, I have the honor to report that I returned yesterday from Prato Carnico after making a careful investigation of the case over a period of two days.

During my stay in Prato Carnico I interviewed twenty-nine persons including two ex-mayors of the village, a former secretary of the Fascist party, four American citizens, four present members of the Fascist party, Cimadors room-mate, the widow of the alleged anarchist whose funeral caused the trouble, three Italian citizens who formerly resided [Page 586] in America, an officer of the “Carabinieri”, the Secretary of the Municipality and a number of peasants and tradespeople. Since these people, in some instances, ran the risk of being accused of sedition in giving their views on the case their names do not appear in the report. Though some knew more than others their statements and opinions coincided on the more important questions. Only a few were approached by me the others having come voluntarily, out of affection and respect for Cimador, in the hopes that something might be done in his behalf.

On the way to Prato Carnico I stopped over at Udine to interview the Prefect but as he was not there the Questore (Chief of Police) was interviewed in his stead.

There are enclosed herewith a copy and translation of an official communication from the Prefect of Udine13 from which it appears that Guido Cimador was sentenced to five years confinement on the island of Ponza because he helped to organize a subversive manifestation at the funeral of an anarchist. The Prefect adds that Cimador is a very bad individual, and a dangerous anarchist who is capable of committing irresponsible acts.

Based on the inquiries made at Prato Carnico and Udine I offer the following opinion. (It will be noted that the report is a statement of fact and does not contain expressions of opinion):

1.
That Cimador did not organize a subversive manifestation at the funeral, though he did assist at the funeral.
2.
That the deceased was not at the time of his death an anarchist.
3.
That Cimador is probably neither a bad individual nor a dangerous anarchist though it is quite probable that he is not sympathetic to fascism and is, in all probability, a socialist.
4.
That Cimador did not receive, under American standards, a fair trial since it appears that he was not permitted to produce witnesses in his own behalf and because his sentence was largely based on reports made by persons who were prejudiced by the circumstances.
5.
That the conviction of Cimador was based purely on very limited circumstantial evidence.
6.
That Cimador is not, (as alleged by the Prefect of Udine in his telephone conversation with me) an immoral person but instead is a person of high morals and charitable character.
7.
That the Italian authorities were fully aware of Cimador’s American citizenship notwithstanding contrary statements made by the Prefect and Questore of Udine.

Since the Italian authorities, for political reasons, will not permit an examination of the record in Cimador’s case the foregoing opinion is necessarily based, in part, on a conjecture as to the evidence presented at his trial.

Respectfully yours,

Rollin R. Winslow
  1. Not printed.