701.6511/1020: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Italy (Phillips)
250. Italian Ambassador has informed Department that “Admiral Lais has ceased from his functions (as Naval Attaché) and will leave this country without delay.”
For your information, the same note from the Italian Ambassador dated April 8 states that Captain William C. Bentley, Assistant Military Attaché for Air at your Embassy, is persona non grata to the Italian Government and requests that he be immediately withdrawn from Italy. War Department informed and has agreed to withdrawal. Newspaper correspondents being informed by Department. Instructions regarding Bentley’s recall will follow.