Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, Europe, Volume II

852.00/3616: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State

Rome, October 31, 1936—7 p.m.
[Received October 31—5:22 p.m.]

439. My 436 October 29, 6 p.m. Count Ciano told me this afternoon that the Italian and German Governments would recognize the Franco Government as soon as it had entered Madrid which was expected within 1 week. In reply to my inquiry as to whether he was disturbed about possible eventualities in Catalonia he replied that the Italian and the German Governments were in entire agreement with regard to the prevention of the set-up of any Communist state in the Mediterranean. I pressed him for further information as to the form such prevention might take and whether the two Governments would lend assistance to General Franco in his efforts to subdue Catalonia. Ciano merely repeated that Berlin and Rome were in accord as to the necessity of preventing the existence of any Communist state in the Mediterranean. He went on to say that a rumor had just reached him to which he could not attach much importance that several thousand Soviet troops were leaving Russia for Barcelona. He admitted that owing to the impossibility of secrecy in the despatch of such a large body of men it was exceedingly doubtful that the Soviets would undertake it but he was nevertheless making every effort to ascertain whether there was any foundation for the rumor.

I asked him whether he had information as to the French internal situation. He replied that while in Berlin he had found Goebbels⁸⁶ greatly concerned, believing that a Communist outbreak might occur at any time. Ciano himself did not seem to share this view, he said that the Communist supply of arms and ammunition had been located in Marseilles but that now it had all been sent to Spain to assist the Madrid Government and that without a supply of weapons no serious trouble need be expected.

Ciano told me that the speech which the Duce will make in Milan tomorrow would be a very important one and devoted in large extent to foreign affairs.

Phillips

86. German Propaganda Minister.