852.00/6374: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 7—9:35 a.m.]
402. Embassy’s 399, September 3, 11 a.m.48 The following communiqué was published this morning.
“The Soviet Chargé d’Affaires in Rome has sent a note to the Foreign Minister in which after citing the torpedoing of two Soviet ships in the Eastern Mediterranean he ascribes the responsibility therefor to Italy and demands payment of damages and punishment of the guilty parties.
To this note the Foreign Minister has replied that Italy denies this charge and thus rejects en bloc the demands of the U. S. S. R.”
Inspired editorial comment on the Soviet note indicates that its presentation may affect Italy’s attitude toward the projected Mediterranean conference the invitation to which was delivered here yesterday jointly by the British and French Chargés d’Affaires.
An American press correspondent who interviewed Ciano last night after the receipt of Soviet note informs me Ciano said he had been considering going himself to Nyon but that he did not now see how Italian representatives could attend conference and sit at the same table with representatives of a government which had officially accused Italian Government of committing acts of piracy.
- Not printed.↩