852.00/7308: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 5—3:45 p.m.]
104. Sir George Mounsey17 sent for me this afternoon to convey the following information orally on behalf of Mr. Eden, who particularly desired for you to be advised before an official announcement was made:
Since the Nyon Agreement18 was put into operation its results in suppressing piracy in the Mediterranean have been, until very recently, satisfactory. The recent recrudescence of piracy, however, has shown the necessity for strengthening the naval patrols and causing them to operate under more drastic instructions. Mr. Eden has been in consultation this week with the French and Italian Ambassadors. As a result of the agreement they have reached, instructions are being sent this afternoon to the British naval commanders engaged on this patrol duty to sink any submarine that shows itself on sight. This order becomes effective at midnight tomorrow, February 6. The French and Italian Governments have agreed to issue the same orders at once to take effect at the same time. Both parties in Spain are being advised this afternoon. Mr. Eden will make a full statement in Parliament on Monday.
Mounsey said Mr. Eden realized that this situation was not one in which we are directly concerned but felt that the decision taken was so important from the general shipping point of view that our Government ought to be advised.