365D.1163/19: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 18—2:40 p.m.]
537. Department’s 187, December 17, 7 p.m.75 The British Embassy here has received instructions to protest the action of the Italian [Page 327] authorities in the matter of the requisition of the Sudan Mission property. Official representations will be made probably early next week and the British Ambassador has promised to keep me informed.
In the meanwhile he is investigating through the British Legation to the Holy See a report that this confiscatory decree was inspired at the instance of the Vatican which in return for the support afforded Italy during the Abyssinian war is desirous of getting rid of all Protestant missions in Ethiopia.
- Not printed.↩