740.0011 European War 1939/2855: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 3—5:52 p.m.]
1018. With reference to the French offer to discuss immediately any and all Italian claims against France (see my telegram No. 964, May 31, 10 a.m.), François-Poncet informed the French Government that Ciano had said to him that Mussolini would not be interested in receiving any French territories by peaceful negotiations. He had decided to make war on France. There would, therefore, be no reply to the French note.
Is it impossible for the President now to speak the truth in public about Mussolini?