711.652/134: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 8—7:57 a.m.]
505. On the basis of the Department’s telegram No. 189, December 6, 7 p.m., the Embassy has again taken up the matter of article VI with the Foreign Office and has emphasized the Department’s desire to obtain a satisfactory solution.
Subject to a further study to be undertaken immediately the Italian authorities, however, seem inclined to consider that it will not be possible even with the best will on their part to meet the Department’s point of view, to reconcile in a general treaty the two divergent systems of nationality laws. They recall the unsuccessful efforts made in the past to achieve an agreement which would be satisfactory to both parties and add that while the Italian Government is at all times prepared to discuss individual cases it seems difficult if not impossible to find a formula which would be generally applicable. Therefore they suggest provisionally that if their further studies should not result in an agreement on the lines of the American proposal the article might be omitted from the treaty.
Ciano has signified his wish to discuss with me the question of the practicability and the use of the sovereign’s title. Owing to the pressure of public engagements in connection with the visit to Italy of the Yugoslav Prime Minister, Ciano has been obliged to postpone for a few days the meeting scheduled for last Monday.