740.00/1438: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 12—8:15 a.m.]
189. At the State banquet for the Prince Regent of Yugoslavia at the Quirinal last evening I had an opportunity to speak with Mussolini. In the course of our conversation he referred to American “interference” in European affairs and asked me “Why should you interfere?” I replied that we were naturally vitally interested in Europe because we were all of us descended from Europeans and we had the closest ties with European countries but that the real concern of the American people was for peace and a peaceful adjustment of problems. We stood ready to help in any way along these lines and if he, the Duce, ever had any suggestions as to the way in which we could contribute to the cause of peace I hoped that he would tell me. He spoke about America being largely controlled by Jews to which I replied that it was a great error to believe that the Jews were in control of the United States, that it was true that there were great numbers of them and that they were influential in some of our large cities but the voice of America was not that of the Jews.
Mussolini gave me the impression, although he did not say so in so many words, that he believed the democracies were preparing to attack the Axis, for he turned to me and said “No one will think of attacking the Axis now because it is too strong. If the British and French policy of encirclement continues the situation will become very grave” and he concluded his remarks by saying “It is grave now”.