865.01/726: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 16—11:43 a.m.]
2003. From Murphy. Marshal Badoglio informed General Joyce November 11 he wished to confirm his intention to carry on until Rome. After arrival in Rome he would resign and facilitate organisation of a broad based ministry of political leaders. In interval, as it is patent that it is impossible to form such a government immediately due to lack in southern area of the necessary politicians, he was organizing, he said, a temporary government of technicians with ministries in charge of qualified under-secretaries who would be authorized by special decree to sign with full powers of minister. He hopes to have such an organization functioning within several days.
In support of this proposition he said that it was necessary to have continuity without a radical change which might be likely to cause disorder in Allied zone of communications. Effective collaboration with the Allied Control Commission also calls for such an organization. He pointed out also that the establishment of such an administration [Page 428] would permit functioning regardless of whatever damage may be done by Germans to the governmental machinery in Rome.
The Marshal also suggested that, in his opinion, a reaction in favor of the King was growing throughout country. Should King be forced at this time to abdicate Badoglio would anticipate serious difficulty within Italian Armed Forces.
In discussion his conference with Count Sforza, Benedetto Croce and others in Naples and referring to Sforza’s refusal to take any part in Badoglio’s government unless King abdicated and Crown Prince renounced, Badoglio declared he had pointed out to Naples group that, in his opinion, the most important problem was that of freeing Italy of Germans. He advocated avoiding any radical action at this time which might cause confusion in liberated zone. He stated opinion that complete liberation of Italy should be awaited so that Italian people as a whole could openly decide what form of government they desired. As a result of his failure to induce any of Naples group to participate, he had decided on the organization of an administration of technicians which was approved by the King. [Murphy.]