740.00119 European War 1939/1742
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire
Unless General Eisenhower sees insuperable objection His Majesty’s Government consider that it is desirable to proceed at once to obtain signature of Marshal Badoglio, as head of the Italian Government, to the comprehensive instrument of surrender, informing the Marshal that it contains the other conditions mentioned in Article 12 of the Military Armistice and that the full instrument when signed will take the place of the military armistice.
The absence of an instrument covering economic and other terms is already proving inconvenient, e.g. to the supply departments of His Majesty’s Government who are being forced to suggest in the absence of such an instrument that the question of Italian merchant shipping should be dealt with by directive. A further reason is that requests are beginning to mount up from the Allied Governments on points which are covered by the comprehensive terms, but on which no satisfaction can be given until the comprehensive instrument is signed.
It is true that a number of provisions in the comprehensive instrument may read somewhat inappropriately in the present circumstances; but it was always the assumption that parts of Italian territory [Page 365] would not be under the control of the Badoglio Government, and the amount of territory which they do control is only a question of degree. It must be assumed that the Badoglio Government or its recognised successor will eventually be in control of a substantial portion of Italian territory and thus be able to comply with Allied requirements. However, it would probably also be desirable to intimate informally to Marshal Badoglio that it is realised that the terms cannot at present be carried out in respect of territory under actual German control. When the full terms are published it would be explained that they were drafted some time ago and that they represent requirements with which the Italian Government will be expected to comply when they are in a position to do so.
It is desirable that the comprehensive instrument should be signed at the earliest possible moment. Although the establishment of a fascist Government in Northern Italy, which would no doubt repudiate the armistice of September 3rd, would not in fact invalidate it, it is clearly desirable if possible that the definitive instrument should be signed before any rival government has been set up.