Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The British Commonwealth, The Soviet Union, The Near East and Africa, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/2226: Telegram

The Chargé in Egypt (Hare) to the Secretary of State

Cairo, April 15, 1940—4 p.m.
[Received April 15—1:55 p.m.]

54. The Legation’s 53, April 12. The Legation is authoritatively informed that the British Ambassador³ received a telegram from the Foreign Office in London on April 12 indicating apprehension regarding possible action by Italy and requesting that the Egyptian Government be informed to that effect and asked to take appropriate preparatory measures.

The Legation is further authoritatively informed that the Prime Minister has received reports of Italian Fleet concentration at Bari and Taranto which he fears may be preparatory to an attack on Yugoslavia or on Greece via Albania. In the latter event Great Britain would automatically come to Greece’s aid and the Prime Minister feels that Egypt could not escape being drawn into the war.

Although many qualified observers discount the probability of imminent Italian [attack?] and the local Italian colony appears calm, there is no doubt that the Egyptian Government is seriously concerned.

Hare

3. Sir Miles Lampson.