852.00/2986: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 4—10 a.m.]
357. My 356, August 4, 9 a.m.66 Foreign Office officials in no way minimize the seriousness with which they view the killing of the Italian in Barcelona. They point out that this is the sixth Italian that has been killed in Spain, that the victim was one of the laboring class, the father of a large family and that the religious element was clearly a factor in causing the attack. The officials state that at present there is no other intention on the part of the Italian Government than to send an additional cruiser to Barcelona in the hope that such a demonstration will prove a deterrent on further occurrences of this nature. They maintain that no landing of Italian troops is now being contemplated.
In press circles, however, it is reported that the cruiser now proceeding to Barcelona has on board 100 regular infantry and 25 Black Shirts fully equipped.
- Not printed; it reported the publication of an official communiqué regarding the assassination of an Italian laborer in Barcelona “apparently on the ground that he was in possession of religious images” (852.00/2985).↩