740.00/1942: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 22—3:26 p.m.]
277. During my conversation with Ciano this afternoon I called to his attention the general nervousness in the United States with regard to the European situation and the widely accepted belief that during the months of August and September an outbreak of war was possible. Ciano admitted the existence of tension but said that there was no reason to be alarmed. Admitting that he was speaking not only on behalf of Italy but also of Germany he said, “We have no intention of provoking a war” and he added, “Such a war as it would be”. Aggravating incidents he felt might occur in the Danzig and Corridor regions which would naturally increase the tension but in spite of this possibility he evidently does not anticipate any drastic action on the part of the Axis powers which would bring about any general European tragedy this year. I said that I hoped that the Italian Government was counseling prudence in Berlin to which he made no reply.
While Ciano may of course be too optimistic I was nevertheless impressed by his evident sincerity.