740.0011 European War 1939/3689: Telegram
The Chargé in Egypt (Hare) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:22 p.m.]
98. Following Mussolini’s speech, conversations with the British Ambassador and Italian Minister6 and a meeting of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister late last night issued a noncommittal statement giving assurance that the Egyptian Government was following the situation closely with a view to safeguarding Egyptian interests and advising the population to remain calm.
The Egyptian Government is obviously on the horns of a dilemma. On the one hand, in keeping with the prevailing spirit of defeatism in official circles, they would like to put credence in Mussolini’s declaration that Italy does not intend involving other countries, including Egypt, in the struggle and consequently they are hesitant to take any action which would give offense to Italy. On the other hand an objective appraisal of the situation including due consideration of Egypt’s treaty obligations to Great Britain leaves little room for hope that Egypt can remain out of hostilities for long.
Diplomatic relations not yet severed.
- Serafino Mazzolini.↩