740.00115 European War 1939/441:
Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom
(Kennedy) to the Secretary of State
London, July 9,
1940.
[Received July 9—12:35 p.m.]
2063. Your 1447, 27th and my 1882, June 28, 11 p.m. Foreign Office
note of July 8 after referring to Phillips’ observations states:
[Page 207]
- “3. Lord Halifax is much obliged to the United States
Ambassador at Rome for the friendly interest which he
has shown in this question. He would be grateful if he
could be informed that in sending Italian internees (no
prisoners of war are in question) to Canada, His
Majesty’s Government are not acting in any way contrary
to the spirit of the Prisoners of War Convention which
it is their intention to observe. Not only in the case
of prisoners of war but also, in general, in the case of
interned civilians, still less are they acting with
hardness towards the Italian internees. The climate of
Canada is good, there is an abundance of food, the
internees will be, as was pointed out in Lord Halifax’s
note to Senhor Moniz de Aragao, outside the area of
hostilities, and Canada is a party to the Prisoners of
War Convention and is prepared to give effect to its
provisions not only in the case of prisoners of war but
also in general, in the case of interned civilians.
Every effort will be made to ensure that these men are
not exposed to any unnecessary risk on the voyage but of
course His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom
cannot accept responsibility if the lives of these men
are endangered by the armed forces of the enemy failing
to comply with the rules of warfare which oblige
belligerents to ensure the safety of the passengers and
crew of any merchant ships sunk. To resort to reprisals
would, therefore, be an entirely unjustifiable act on
the part of the Italian Government. The names of the
Italian civilians sent to Canada will be communicated to
the Italian Government as soon as possible and
facilities will no doubt be given by His Majesty’s
Government in Canada to the Japanese Legation or Consuls
in Canada to visit the internment camp on the arrival of
the internees so that they can satisfy themselves as to
their treatment.
- “4. Lord Halifax much regrets to learn that the United
States Embassy at Rome is greatly handicapped in its
efforts to protect British subjects because of
unfavourable reports reaching the Italian Government
concerning the treatment of Italian subjects in England.
All possible consideration has been shown to the
Italians having regard to the circumstances in which
their internment has been found necessary.
- “5. His Majesty’s Government hope that it will be
possible to make arrangements for the return to Italy of
a large number of Italian subjects though, of course,
they reserve to themselves the right to retain in this
country any person on grounds of national
security.”
Repeated to Rome.
