740.0011 European War 1939/8229: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy ( Phillips ) to the Secretary of State

181. Department’s 68, February 7, 6 p.m. This morning in conversation with Anfuso who is in charge of the Foreign Office I mentioned [Page 343] my concern over the possible fate of the Italian women and children in Ethiopia who might in certain eventualities be in danger of native uprisings, et cetera, and who were now unable to leave the country. I said I desired to offer my services in an informal approach to the British authorities in this matter if the Italian Government desired me to do so. I added that the Department of State knew of the step which I was taking and that it had their sympathetic interest.

Anfuso assured me that he would communicate at once with Mussolini and he hoped that he would be able to give me an expression of views tomorrow or the day after.

Phillips