711.00111 Armament Control/103: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Long) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 10—3:40 p.m.]
688. The reaction to the Neutrality Proclamation has been quite mild, particularly so in view of the fact that Italy is the chief sufferer potentially from both the embargo on arms and especially in warning of Americans off belligerent ships. Such press comment as has appeared has been sent you. There was no mention of it in the morning papers and only a mild reference in this evening’s Tribuna.
Suvich20 yesterday mentioned the proclamation warning citizens off belligerent ships and asked if that too was required by the Congressional resolution. I replied that it was prescribed if in the discretion of the President travel might be dangerous to American citizens and that with such naval and military activities as were now on and around the Mediterranean that a sufficient element of potential danger existed to provoke the declaration. I added that it was America’s desire to keep out of the present conflict and out of any other which might develop out of or in connection with it and that the proclamation of the President relieved the American Government of responsibility for the welfare of any of its citizens who might choose to travel on belligerent ships and would at the same time prevent the necessity of the United States becoming involved on their account if they came to harm; that it was a peace measure.
Repeated to Geneva.
- Fulvio Suvich, Italian Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.↩