852.00/2670: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 18—1:32 p.m.]
336. My 335, August 18 [15], 11 a.m. The French Ambassador and the British Chargé d’Affaires called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday and under instructions of their Governments made urgent representations to the end that the Italian Government join in the proposal of “non-intervention” in Spain along the general lines formulated by the French Government. Discussions have been proceeding on the matters of enlistment and financial aid on which Italy has been insisting but the latest representations were particularly in the nature of a plea for speedy action to arrive at some form of agreement even though the final formula might not be equally satisfactory in every detail to all the participating governments and in this connection it was pointed out that any further delay would impair the value of the declaration and might give rise to conjectures as to the motives of any government which withheld its agreement. I understand that the French Ambassador feels that some progress has been made during the last few days in so far as the Italian Government is concerned and as Mussolini has returned to Rome, although he was expected to be absent for some time longer, the impression now prevails that this Government may give a reply possibly today or tomorrow.
I am informed that the Minister for Foreign Affairs in a recent conversation categorically denied that the Italian Government was guided by any ulterior motives in its policy towards Spain and branded as utterly false the allegations from abroad that Italy was looking towards tangible advantages in those parts.