President Roosevelt to the Secretary of State 91
262234. In regard to turning over naval vessels and merchant ships to the Soviet, the President desires that Italian shipping, both naval and merchant now in Allied possession, be used wherever92 it may promise the best service to the common Allied cause (with due reference to the terms of the Admiral Cunningham Agreement93 if and as amended), without any final transfer of title to any Nation at the present time.
The question of permanent title to ships and other material surrendered by Italy while in an enemy status or by other enemy countries hereafter can be determined at a later date without prejudice [Page 644] to the interest of the allied nations, and without adversely affecting the present and prospective Italian war effort against Germany.
- Copy of telegram obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N. Y.↩
- The word “whenever” appeared in the telegram instead of “wherever” as originally sent, but was corrected in telegram No. 271356 from the President to the Secretary of State on October 27, 1943 (not printed).↩
- Memorandum of Agreement on the Employment and Disposition of the Italian Fleet and Mercantile Marine Between the Allied Commander in Chief, Mediterranean, Acting on Behalf of the Allied Commander in Chief and the Italian Minister of Marine, 23rd September 1943, Department of State Publication No. 2669: United States and Italy, 1986–1946: Documentary Record, p. 53. Amendment, signed November 17, 1943, ibid., p. 66.↩