711.652/138: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 14—6 p.m.]
516. My 515, December 14, noon. After consultation with the Duce, Ciano sent for me this evening and informed me that neither of the Department’s suggested preambles is acceptable and that therefore the treaty could not be signed. To accept either preamble would, he said, be unconstitutional from the Italian point of view which requires the Sovereign’s name and title in the preamble as the appointing power and furthermore to sign without the full title would raise a political issue. In the circumstances Count Ciano feels that the contemplated exchange of notes carrying on provisionally the present commercial relations between the two Governments is the best solution. Accordingly he is prepared to proceed with the exchange contemplated and would even be willing to extend this provisional arrangement to cover as many of the points covered in the treaty as may be possible.