740.0011 European War 1939/34265
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire
The Italian Government and the Atlantic Charter
At the end of 1943 the Italian Government indicated that they wished to adhere publicly to the provisions of the Atlantic Charter.21 [Page 1085] His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom suggested to the United States Government that an informal and tactful indication be given to the Italian Government that such action on their part might be misunderstood by allied public opinion. The United States Government did not however feel able to associate themselves with such action.
- 2.
- His Majesty’s Government appreciate that, in general, adherence to the principles of the Charter is to be welcomed, but, particularly since the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has stated publicly that the second clause of the Charter relating to territorial changes does not apply to enemy countries, they feel it would be most inexpedient that any action should take place which would give even the appearance of creating an obligation to maintain Italian territories intact.
- 3.
- His Majesty’s Government trust, therefore, that Mr. Hull may find it possible to send instructions to the United States representative on the Allied Control Commission in Italy which would enable agreed action to be taken to dissuade the Italian Government at the present time from publicly proclaiming their adherence to the principles of the Atlantic Charter.
- For text of joint declaration by President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill, August 14, 1941, see Foreign Relations, 1941, vol. i, p. 367.↩