741.65/499: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Phillips ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:25 p.m.]
64. My 56, March 10, 7 p.m. With regard to the British-Italian negotiations Lord Perth has informed me that he has suggested to Count Ciano the advisability of laying aside for the present two of the points under consideration: (1) The Spanish question, and (2) the adhesion of other governments to a Mediterranean pact, and to proceed to discuss all the other points involved. Count Ciano readily consented to this procedure and on Tuesday next the conversations will be continued along these lines.
Lord Perth feels that it may be difficult for the Italians to withdraw unilaterally from Spain but inasmuch as they are sincerely anxious to do so it would not be fair to them to let the negotiations drop merely because Moscow may be the stumbling block in the plan for the more general withdrawal of volunteers.