701.4184/57: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 22—8:10 a.m.]
543. My 538, December 19, noon.17 An official communiqué this morning announces that the British Ambassador and French Chargé d’Affaires have informed the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs of their Governments’ decisions to withdraw their Legations in Addis Ababa and replace them by Consulates General.
The newspapers comment that the above action constitutes recognition of a de facto situation which carries more weight than any juridical or procedural reservation. They also insist that a revision of public opinion has made such action not only possible but necessary.
- Not printed.↩