Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The British Commonwealth and Europe, Volume III

701.0065/30a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul at Naples (Brandt)³⁸

Washington, May 18, 1944—8 p.m.

93. For Kirk.³⁹ The British have approached us informally for our views regarding neutral representation in Italy following the fall of Rome, expressing the opinion that it seemed desirable as long as Italy should be occupied by the Allies for neutrals to conduct their relations with the Italian Government only through the Allied Control Commission.

The Department is considering replying along the following lines:

“Machinery already exists whereby the United Nations and neutral nations may designate consular officials to liberated Italy.⁴⁰ The following nations have already named such representatives: United States, Great Britain, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland.

It would appear that until the defeat of Germany and the subsequent consideration which may be given to the return of Italy to the status of a fully sovereign member of the family of nations, Italy will not be in a position to enter into, nor will it require, diplomatic relations with other nations. Meanwhile, all its essential activities with other nations in the economic and welfare field may be conducted through consular channels.

Neutral diplomatic representatives now in Rome could be requested to withdraw (Article 25(J) of the Armistice) or their governments could designate them consuls to the new Italian Government, or they could be permitted to have contact with the Italian Government through the Allied Control Commission.

Italian diplomatic representatives now in neutral countries (Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Argentina, Eire, Turkey, Switzerland) could continue to conduct their negotiations with the Italian Foreign Office through the Allied Control Commission.”

Your comment would be appreciated.

Hull

38. Repeated as telegram 1539, May 18, to the American Representative to the French Committee of National Liberation at Algiers (Wilson) for Murphy.
39. Alexander C. Kirk, appointed American representative on the Advisory Council for Italy with rank of Ambassador on March 31, 1944.
40. See footnote 23, p. 1167; see also note of December 3, 1943, from the Belgian Embassy to the Department of State, Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. ii, p. 398.