Office of the Historian

840.48 Refugees/1077a

President Roosevelt to the Chief of the Italian Government (Mussolini)82

Washington, December 7, 1938.

My Dear Signor Mussolini: The decisive action which you took last September,83 which was so powerful a factor in assuring the avoidance of hostilities, is recognized everywhere as an historic service to the cause of world peace. The results of your efforts have provided a practical demonstration that even grave international crises can be resolved by negotiation without resort to armed force.

It is with this recollection in mind that I write to you today.

The problem of finding new homes for the masses of individuals of many faiths who are no longer permitted to reside freely in their native lands, and are obliged through force of circumstances to find refuge abroad, is one of immediate urgency. Both for those governments which desire to bring about the emigration of such individuals, as well as for those governments whose peoples feel it their duty and their desire to help so far as they may be able in the task of resettlement, the problem presented is one of grave complexity. Unless there is effective international collaboration, the prospect of a successful solution is not hopeful. And unless a solution based on justice and humanity can be found, and found promptly, I fear that international relations will be further embittered, and the cause of peace still further prejudiced.

I have, of course, given earnest thought to this matter and certain projects have occurred to me in which the United States could well [Page 859] collaborate.84 I am requesting Ambassador Phillips to ask an audience of you as soon as may be convenient to you after his return to Rome, and to submit these thoughts to your consideration, and to discuss them with you.

It would give me genuine pleasure to feel that you and I were working together along constructive lines toward a solution of this problem, and that thereby we might be contributing toward a happier and a more peaceful world.

I take this occasion to convey to you my best wishes and the assurances of my highest regard.

Very sincerely yours,

  1. Draft copy unsigned. The American Ambassador in Italy delivered the President’s letter personally on January 3, 1939, to the Chief of the Italian Government.↩
  2. In connection with the Munich Conference; see pp. 566 ff.↩
  3. See memorandum infra.↩