751.65/429: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 10—4 p.m.]
330. François-Poncet, the newly appointed French Ambassador, informed me today that he had made his first call upon Ciano yesterday afternoon and had expressed the desire of his Government for better relations and for some sort of accord. Ciano had replied with definiteness that negotiations looking to an accord would be impossible unless the French Government would withdraw its support from the Barcelona Government. The Ambassador admitted to me that this attitude on the part of Ciano was a serious obstacle to an early rapprochement between the two countries because of the fact that there were still powerful groups in the French Government which held to the policy of supporting what they regarded as a liberal Spanish Government. He thought, however, that possibly the French Government would have to yield with regard to its position in Spain to pressure from the British. The Italians wished, of course, for recognition of Franco’s belligerency but the British up until now had [Page 254] not reached any decision in this respect. In view, however, of continued Italian disquietude in this direction and the British Government’s policy to pursue friendly relations with Italy, the Ambassador thought that eventually recognition of belligerency would be granted.