Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1938, General, Volume I

741.65/488: Telegram

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

Rome, March 8, 1938—1 p.m.
[Received 3 p.m.]

49. The Embassy was shown last night the text of the memorandum which Lord Perth proposes to read to Count Ciano¹⁶ this afternoon inaugurating the Anglo-Italian conversations. The two conditions which the British Government recognizes as essential to the successful outcome of the negotiations are:

(1) “Early and rapid progress in Spain.” This factor is considered of vital importance by the British Government in view of the necessity of demonstrating that the Anglo-Italian negotiations will bring a positive contribution to world appeasement. Although in accordance with the Italian suggestion the application of the scheme relating to the withdrawal of volunteers has been left to the London Non-Intervention Committee the British Government suggests that some such concrete evidence of the Italian intentions as withdrawal of troops from the Balearic Islands might be given at an early date.

(2) On the other hand the British Government will give a formal undertaking to take steps at Geneva with a view to removing the existing obstacles in the way of recognition of Italian sovereignty over Ethiopia. The British Government considers that recognition must be settled by the League as well and therefore agrees to raise the matter at the May session of the Council. Lord Perth explained that this delay would also give time to show progress in the withdrawal of the volunteers from Spain.

After stressing the importance of these conditions as well as of an agreement relating to propaganda the British Ambassador proposes to continue discussions with Ciano along the following lines, the purpose being to reach agreements which will become effective at the time of recognition of the Empire.

1. Reaffirmation of the Mediterranean agreements of January 1937¹⁷ with the provision that paragraphs 4 and 5 relating to the status quo shall be opened to the accession of other Mediterranean powers.

2. Assurances that the Italian garrison in Libya will be reduced and full exchange of military information between the two Governments relating to the Mediterranean and Red Sea areas.

3. The British Government proposes to ask the Italian Government if it is now prepared to adhere to the London Naval Treaty of 1936.¹⁸

4. The British Government is asking for a cessation of propaganda creating difficulty for it in the formulation of its policy toward Palestine or in its administration of the mandate, as well as recognition by the Italian Government that any changes in the status of the mandate would not be construed as affecting the status quo in the Mediterranean. Similar assurances are being requested in respect of Syria. With regard to Arabia the Italian Government is being asked to respect the status quo and to agree that neither Government will seek a privilege position in the Red Sea.

5. With respect to anti-British propaganda in the Italian press a formula is to be worked out putting an end both to anti-British and anti-French propaganda. In this connection Lord Perth will explain to Ciano that the Prime Minister has issued an appeal to the British press to refrain from articles or editorials of a character hostile toward Italy.

6. After de jure recognition by Great Britain of Italian conquest of Ethiopia has taken place the British Government proposes to conclude a final settlement of the Sudan Kenya and British Somaliland frontiers. It is also requesting a reaffirmation of the assurance given to the League on June 29, 1936, to the effect that Italy is willing to accept the principle that no other military duties shall be required of the Abyssinian natives except those relating to policing and territorial defense. In other words Italy is being asked to reaffirm its commitment not to raise a native army in the conquered territory. A reaffirmation of the previous Italian undertaking to respect British interests in the Lake Tsana region is likewise being sought as well as an agreement on the part of Italy to afford facilities to missionaries in Ethiopia without distinction of nationality or religion; in other words to apply the provisions of article 11 of the Treaty of Saint-Germain[-en-Laye] of September 11 [10], 1919,¹⁹ to Abyssinian territory. The British Government also desires to extend its commercial treaty with Italy to Abyssinia thereby guaranteeing freedom of travel and communications and fair treatment to British trade in the Italian colonies.

Prior to the de jure recognition by Great Britain of Ethiopia the British Government proposes a declaration on the part of the two Governments that in their relations with respect to the colonies the policy of the “good neighbor” will be followed. The British Government is likewise requesting some indication of the Italian intentions with respect to the future of Ras Tafari.²⁰

Lord Perth expects that some difficulty may be experienced in connection with the delay in recognition but hopes to conclude the negotiations within a fortnight and to publish a communiqué outlining their general provisions. Perth further said that he hoped that advantage will be taken of the interval between the conclusion of the negotiations and the entry into effect of the agreements after the League Council meeting early in May to permit similar negotiations between Italy and France.

The British Ambassador has promised to keep me informed of the progress of the negotiations and has suggested, evidently under instructions, that the Embassy might be the best channel through which the American Government could be kept informed.

Repeated to London.

Phillips

16. Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs.
17. British Cmd. 5348, Italy No. 1 (1937): Declaration by His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and the Italian Government Regarding the Mediterranean [With an Exchange of Notes Regarding the Status Quo in the Western Mediterranean Dated December 31, 1936], Rome, January 2, 1937.
18. Signed at London, March 25, 1936; see Foreign Relations, 1936, vol. i, pp. 22 ff.
19. Foreign Relations, 1928, vol. i, p. 437.
20. Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia.