711.652/133: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Italy (Phillips)
190. Your 503, December 6. As we understand your telegram, the Italians have proposed that the possessions and colonies of Italy be excepted from the operation of the treaty and have inquired whether under this condition the Government of the United States might wish to make exceptions in respect of its territories and possessions. In other words, it appears that the Italians have in mind reciprocal exceptions in respect of the application of the treaty to the possessions and colonies of each of the Contracting Parties.
It is not the policy of the United States to except its territories and possessions from the operation of its definitive treaties of commerce and navigation and such exceptions do not appear in our modern treaties. It would be neither practicable nor desirable from the standpoint of this Government to change this established policy by amending the proposed treaty with Italy so that it would apply only to continental United States. Moreover, even if such change of policy were desirable, we would be confronted with almost insurmountable technical and procedural difficulties were we to attempt to make the change effective.
On the other hand, we feel that since it is necessary to have the treaty apply to the territories and possessions of the United States, it should likewise apply to the Italian overseas possessions. Italy has already made certain of its treaties with other countries applicable to its overseas possessions and, hence, we do not understand why it would be impossible to have the proposed treaty with this country apply to Italian possessions.
You are requested to present the foregoing views to the appropriate authorities in such manner as you may deem appropriate and report fully the Italian reply.