740.00115 European War 1939/422: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)
1447. Following from Embassy Rome:
“644, 27th. British interests. Italian Government has been informed by the Brazilian Government that the British Foreign Office stated to the Brazilian Embassy in London that 1,500 Italians interned in England are to be transferred to Canada in order to be treated as prisoners in accordance with ‘international convention of 1929’. If this project is carried out it is absolutely certain that the Italian Government will retaliate in some manner against more than 1,000 British subjects believed remaining in Italy. Consequently I should appreciate it if Department could verify British intentions in this regard and obtain full details and explanations for communication to Italian Government. This Embassy is already greatly handicapped in its efforts to protect British subjects because of reports reaching the Italian Government of mistreatment of Italian subjects in England.”
Please refer to Department’s 1446, 27th and inform Foreign Office.