893.01 Manchuria/1476: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 30—1:27 p.m.]
494. My 493, November 29, 7 p.m., with regard to the recognition of Manchukuo, I gather from a Foreign Office source that Japan has for months been asking Italy for such recognition and that this Government had finally decided to acquiesce. My informant added that he had no doubt but that Germany would shortly follow Italy’s example and he also expressed the opinion that China itself would do so before long. He said that he knew that China had been ready to extend recognition for a considerable time but had been deterred because of British influence. In conclusion he added that in view of Italy’s action “all other nations could now feel free to recognize Manchukuo”.