760F.62/1257: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State

271. The British Ambassador gave me this afternoon in strict confidence the following information. Two days ago Halifax had sent [Page 694] for Grandi and had asked him to convey to the Duce an appeal on behalf of the British Government to use his efforts to restrain Hitler and at the same time the British Government had offered to guarantee the execution of the proposed terms of settlement. There had been no response from the Italian Government to Halifax’s action and this had caused concern. For some unaccountable reason which Perth cannot fathom it would seem that the Halifax communication to Grandi had never reached the Duce and the latter was perhaps “sulky” in not having been asked by the British Government to use his good offices in this emergency. Yesterday Perth conceived the idea of making the same appeal through Ciano and this morning he received instructions to act accordingly. Perth told me that he disliked to make official calls at the Foreign Office in the morning and had always avoided doing so. This morning he had the same reluctance believing that there was no great urgency inasmuch as there were apparently 3 days before the expiration of the Hitler ultimatum. However, something prompted him to call on Ciano this morning and he did so at 10:30. Ciano then revealed that the German Army was prepared to move today at 2 p.m. and would occupy the entire Sudeten territory. Perth reminded him that the French would without doubt move also and that the action of the British Government would probably be guided by that of the French. He then made his appeal on behalf of the British Government and gave the British guarantee. Ciano seemed suddenly in a great hurry. He asked Perth to wait in the Foreign Office until he (Ciano) had seen the Duce. In a short time he returned with the news that the Duce would act in accordance with the British Government’s request and would ask the Fuehrer for 24-hours delay in order to give further consideration to the whole situation.

Perth then returned to the Embassy where he found a second instruction asking him to call at once upon Ciano and propose a meeting of the four powers without delay. Again Ciano asked Perth to wait while he hastened to consult the Duce. On his return Ciano said that the Duce accepted the idea and had at once transmitted it with his recommendation to the Fuehrer.

Perth is convinced, therefore, that the Duce has exercised the necessary influence with the Fuehrer to stave off the crisis.

Perth gave this information to me in the strictest confidence and I assured him that it would be so regarded.

Mussolini and Ciano left for Munich this evening.

Phillips