852.00/4995: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 23—11:30 a.m.]
118. My 117, March 22, 6 p.m.50 According to information obtained from British sources here the investigation of the alleged shipment of volunteers from Italy to Spain was confined to an inquiry as to a vessel the Sardegna which was rumored to have transported troops from Italy to Cadiz, and in reply to this inquiry the Italian authorities denied that the vessel in question carried troops but stated that she shipped medical supplies which were unloaded at Cadiz in charge of orderlies. The American Consulate General at Naples received reports from two different sources that this same vessel cleared Naples for a Spanish destination on February 28 carrying several thousand troops comprising the remnants of volunteer groups which had been unable to leave before February 20. In spite of the rumors of violations on the part of Italy of the nonintervention accord both British and French representatives have apparently been unable to obtain any actual proofs of any such violations although the theory has been put forth to the effect that the Italians operate groups of two vessels under the same name of which one is reported as passing through the Suez Canal or arriving at some other destination whereas the other remains unreported and accordingly is alleged to have proceeded to Spain. While it is denied officially that shipments of troops are proceeding it is generally admitted that recruiting of volunteers for Spain is still being carried out on Italian territory.
Following the return of the Duce to Rome last night the rumor was circulated that he had hastened his departure from Tripoli owing to the Spanish situation but in a declaration which he made this morning he is quoted as denying that his trip had been cut short.
- Not printed.↩