741.51/311: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 25—2:29 p.m.]
348. Embassy’s telegram No. 330, November 10, 6 p.m. The results of the Anglo-French talks in Paris are described in the Italian press as very limited and from the European point of view distinctly negative.
Gayda asserted this evening that the British and French policy respecting armaments and military cooperation was incompatible with the spirit of the Munich accords and in reality constituted a reaction against them. With reference to recognition of Franco’s belligerent status he stated that it was untenable to argue that recognition should be subordinated to complete withdrawal of foreign volunteers since it was well known that French ports continue to be open to Red Spain. He denied emphatically that any further Italian volunteers have been or will be sent to Spain and declared that any [Page 258] Italo-French agreement similar to the Franco-German declaration was not to be expected inasmuch as there were questions between Italy and France still awaiting clarification the first of which related to the “problem of Spain”.
The French Ambassador again said today that the official Italian position was that no discussions for the improvement of Franco-Italian relations could usefully begin until France had accorded the Nationalist Government in Spain full recognition of belligerent status. François-Poncet said that his Government in view of the opposition among the Left elements in France could not take this step and saw no immediate solution for this deadlock.