852.00/7581: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 23—8:55 a.m.]
71. Under instructions from his Government the British Ambassador has pointed out to Count Ciano31 the deplorable effect upon world public opinion and the danger to the continuance of the policy of non-intervention which the aerial bombardment of Barcelona is creating. While at first Ciano replied that the Italian Government had [Page 167] no control over the actions of General Franco’s army he is said to have been impressed by the arguments advanced by the Ambassador and to have promised to use his influence to “prevent that sort of warfare”. He also assured Lord Perth that not a man, gun, airplane, or ship had left Italy for Spain during the past month.
The Embassy has also been informed that the French and British representatives to the Vatican have requested the Vatican’s assistance in endeavoring to put an end to aerial attacks upon centers of civilian population.
- Galeazzo Ciano, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩