740.0011 European War 1939/31635
Press Release Issued by the White House, October 13, 1943
The following is a joint statement by the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, and the Prime Minister of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, re declaration of war by Italy against Germany:
The governments of Great Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union acknowledge the position of the Royal Italian Government as [Page 388] stated by Marshal Badoglio and accept the active cooperation of the Italian nation and armed forces as a co-belligerent in the war against Germany. The military events since September eighth and the 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 the 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 untrammelled right of the people of Italy by constitutional means to decide on the democratic form of government they will eventually have.
The relationship of co-belligerency between the governments of Italy and the United Nations governments cannot of itself affect the terms recently signed, which retain their full force and can only be adjusted by agreement between the Allied governments in the light of the assistance which the Italian government may be able to afford to the United Nations’ cause.