711.652/75: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Italy ( Phillips )
Washington
, December
2, 1936—2 p.m.
169. Your 481, November 21, 9 p.m., your 484, November 24, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- Department notes with appreciation Giannini’s proposal, which is satisfactory, contemplating, as it does, joint notice of termination on December 15. Unless the Italian Government is prepared to accept substantially without change the draft of commercial treaty which you have presented to it, there is, of course, no likelihood of reaching signature by January 1.
- 2.
- Even if a new treaty were signed, Department would not on that account feel justified in delaying notice of termination because of uncertainties surrounding its ratification and coming into force.
- 3.
- You are therefore requested to press for joint notice of termination to be consummated as soon as possible. Should such consummation not later than December 15 at any time seem in doubt, please notify the Department promptly in order that appropriate instructions regarding unilateral notice may be sent you.
- 4.
- On receipt of information that decision in respect of termination has been reached, form of notice will immediately be telegraphed to you.
- 5.
- Pending receipt of counter-draft, discussion of Italian comment on treaty text seems unnecessary.
Moore