852.00/6395: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8—8:03 a.m.]
404. Embassy’s 402, September 7, 11 a.m. A second Soviet note was delivered to the Italian Government this morning rejecting Italy’s reply as unsatisfactory, sustaining the accusations contained in the original note and reiterating the demand for indemnity.
Although Italy’s decision regarding attendance at the Mediterranean Conference has not yet been made known the general impression prevails here that any Italian acceptance of the Franco-British invitation would be so surrounded with conditions as to make the prospect of a conference seem unlikely. Among these conditions it is anticipated will be the demand that the Soviets be excluded.