740.00119 European War 1939/10–143: Telegram
The British Prime Minister (Churchill) to President Roosevelt 11
[428.]12 Following is amended text referred to in my immediately preceding telegram.16
“The Governments of Great Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union acknowledge position of Royal Italian Government as stated by Marshal Badoglio and accept active cooperation of the [Page 381] Italian nation and armed forces as a co-belligerent in the war against Germany. The military events since September 8th and brutal maltreatment by the Germans of the Italian population culminating in the Italian declaration of war against Germany have in fact made Italy a co-belligerent and American, British and Soviet Governments will continue to work with the Italian Government on that basis. The three Governments acknowledge the Italian Government’s pledge to submit to the will of the Italian people after the Germans have been driven from Italy, and it is understood that nothing can detract from the absolute and untrammeled right of the people of Italy by constitutional means to decide democratic form of Government they will eventually have.
The relationship of co-belligerency between Government of Italy and United Nations Governments cannot of itself affect the importance of the recently signed [terms] which retain their full force and can only be adjusted by agreement between Allied Governments in the light of assistance which the Italian Government may be able to afford to United Nations’ cause.”