339.115 General Motors Export Co./179
Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Phillips)
The Italian Ambassador called me on the telephone this morning to say that he has received a further telegram from his Government [Page 502] with regard to the Barletta case; he says that Italy will demand unconditional freedom and that they will not accept freedom on bond; the Italian Minister in Santo Domingo has been instructed to insist upon unconditional freedom and also to demand the reasons for the continued delay in meeting Italy’s requests. The telegram also states that, if Italy’s requests are not granted, the Italian Government will have to consider more energetic measures.
The Ambassador added that he had not been instructed to communicate the above information to the Department, but was doing it, nevertheless, to keep us wholly advised of the situation.