765.84/523: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Straus) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 14—1:05 p.m.]
592. For the Secretary. Saw Italian Ambassador to France at anniversary review this morning. In answer to my question he said that in his opinion war in Abyssinia is inevitable; that British Ambassador [Page 616] here had suggested to Laval a meeting between Mussolini, Laval and Hoare in an endeavor to find a solution that might avoid an armed conflict; that Laval had telephoned to Mussolini, and that Mussolini had replied that discussion would not alter his determination to maintain his position.