852.2221/327: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 5—8:20 a.m.]
143. My 135, April 1, noon.61 In a recent conversation with Count Ciano he assured me that although Italy was’ being accused of a desire to spread Fascism through Spain it has no such intention whatsoever. He explained that the Italian plan was that the Spanish people themselves must determine their own self-preservation. In emphasizing the fact that he hoped that the London Non-intervention Committee would be able to find ways and means of withdrawing foreign nationals from Spain thus leaving the way open to the Spanish people to reach a solution, he stated that Italy would be glad to respond to any undertaking arrived at by the London Committee to this effect.
In this connection it is interesting to note that he made no mention of Grandi’s recent statements before the London Non-intervention Committee but stressed forcibly the willingness of Italy to see the foreign volunteers withdrawn. I do not, however, interpret his remarks as indicating any change in Italy’s attitude of opposition to the establishment of any Communist state in the Mediterranean.
- Not printed.↩