865.01/11–2844: Telegram
The American Representative on the Advisory Council for Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:45 p.m.]
814. I am informed that yesterday evening representatives of the Committee of National Liberation who were mostly Ministers without Portfolio called on Bonomi and told him that in any new government Sforza should be given the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When Bonomi replied that this appointment was impossible owing to British opposition (see my 801 November 26, 5 p.m. last paragraph6) the representatives said that in that case no Ministry could be formed and that Bonomi should make an announcement to that effect. Three representatives of the CNL are calling upon Noel Charles today to discuss this matter further. Both Noel Charles and Stone are aware of the Department’s position as regards Sforza as expressed in its 181 June 11, 1 p.m. to Naples.7
[Page 1159]The positive action taken by British in favor of Orlando8 (see my 810, November 27, 5 p.m.9) and in disapproval of Sforza in so far as to state that, when the question of the tranquility of war theater is not immediately involved, I deplore these sporadic incursions from abroad into the internal politics of Italy in that they serve to sap the little vitality now existing in the Italian body politic and not only give occasion to even the civic minded to shift to a foreign power the responsibility for the consequences of their own shortcomings but also furnish to other elements, both foreign and national whose aims are less altruistic, opportunities to develop situations conducive to the furtherance of those aims.9a I need not add that this state of affairs is especially unfortunate under a regime of Anglo-American combined operations.