765.84/597: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5 p.m.]
385. My 364, July 16, 6 p.m.36 I understand from British sources that preliminary conversations to which allusions have previously been made are actually being carried on with a view to initiating negotiations between Italy, France and England in connection with the Abyssinian conflict, under the terms of the Agreement of 1906.37 The nature and scope of these conversations are being surrounded with great secrecy by the British here.
The Italian authorities also continue their attitude of reserve in reference to these negotiations as well as of detachment as to League action and although they are ready to mention the course of the correspondence between the Italian and Ethiopian Governments in regard to the possible resumption of the meetings of the Commission [Page 617] established under the Treaty of 1928 (see my 382, July 2038) they are careful to give the impression that they are in no way actually pressing this method of solution or as a matter of fact making any effort to accelerate the process of diplomacy.