865.01/9–3044: Telegram
The American Representative on the Advisory Council for Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 16:03 p.m.]
424. I called this evening on Bonomi at his request and he expressed his cordial appreciation of statement on Italy by President and Churchill which he characterized not only as proof of comprehension of President of problems confronting Italy but as promise of concrete manifestations of that comprehension through future treatment of Italy.
Specific points in statement to which Bonomi referred were question of Italian representation to United States and functions of ACC. As regards the first, he inquired as to nature of Italian representation in United States envisaged by President indicating clearly the hope that an Ambassador would be permitted and I told him that I had sent query to Department on this point at request of Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs but had not yet received a reply (my 404, September 27, 7 p.m.3). As regards the second point, Bonomi said that, gratifying as was removal of word control from ACC, there should be corresponding broadening in viewpoint of that organization which would not only render it a more constructive factor in Italian rehabilitation; it especially would speed up its decisions so that it would not constitute unnecessary drag on Italian Government. In latter connection, he spoke of the time which was required in obtaining decisions from ACC on matters which required prompt action and particular burden incident to ACC requirement that it pass upon even minor officials before appointment by Italian Government with result that posts in provinces were often held vacant owing to delay in obtaining ACC approval. In this connection, Bonomi suggested that business of the Government would be greatly expedited if members of Government could sit upon at least some of committees of ACC.
Following his remarks on statement itself, Bonomi referred briefly to internal situation here. He said that Government was functioning well but that it would have to be strengthened by introduction of new members who would be available when north, of Italy was freed. He [Page 1155] referred also to matter of epuration which, essential though it was must be hastened in its process as it was keeping country in a state of tension and disrupting mechanism of civil administration through continued uncertainty in minds of officials and employees due to fear that anyone who served under Fascist regime might be denounced for epuration. The economic and financial situation of country was also briefly referred to and he was emphatic in expression of his anxiety in matter of adequate food and shelter for population during coming winter.
In conclusion, the President of the Council reverted to matter of President’s statement and said that he hoped that I would present him further information as to proposed implementation as Italy looked for guidance more to United States than to any others. In fact, it was clear from Bonomi’s conversation, that although he recognized responsibility of Italian Government and people in working out their own salvation need of assistance from abroad and especially from United States is essential and that if the hopes raised by Anglo-American statement are not promptly realized, at least in part, the effect thereof will be destructive rather than constructive.
- Not printed.↩