611.653/115: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 6—2:53 p.m.]
251. A Stefani despatch from Washington distributed at noon today but not yet published in the Rome newspapers contains the following comment on the Treasury’s announcement regarding countervailing duties on Italian silk:31
“Evidently these are measures dictated by the political prejudice which animates the Jew Morgenthau32 against the Axis powers. Similar measures were taken recently against all imports from Germany.”
We are bringing this item to the attention of the competent Italian authorities pointing out the lamentable effect that will ensue from its publication in the press and expressing the expectation that if already published it will be contradicted officially.