765.84/4344: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 10—7:30 a.m.]
144. Foreign Office telephoned me yesterday afternoon that if I wished to view the ceremony at the Palazzo Venezia in the evening a window would be reserved in the Palace. The same invitation was extended to all chiefs of mission of non-sanctionist countries and War Ministry invited corresponding Military, Naval and Air Attachés and certain foreign military missions in Rome to attend and as I considered it advisable for me to be at the chancery while the announcements were being made I inquired at the Foreign Office as to the nature of the invitation and upon being informed that it was not official I explained the circumstances that might prevent me from attending and I was not present at the ceremony announcing the Empire. The Military and Naval Attachés to the Embassy were at the Palazzo Venezia.
As the Italian press publishes prominently today a list of the chiefs of mission attending the ceremony and the fact that they were received by Mussolini afterwards I am sending the foregoing for the Department’s information.