Office of the Historian

500.CC/3–2945

The Secretary of State to the Italian Ambassador (Tarchiani)

Washington, April 7, 1945.

Excellency: We have had under consideration your inquiry of March 15, 194535 concerning the possibility of the Italian Government being invited to send an observer to the United Nations Conference on International Organization at San Francisco. I have also received your note of March 29 on this subject.36

In our conversation on March 15 I believe that I told you that it had been decided that this Conference would be a meeting of the United Nations to draft the charter for a general international organization for the maintenance of international security. It is in no sense a peace conference to settle such questions as boundaries, reparations, [Page 207] etc. No provision had therefore been made for observers from nations not invited to attend the Conference.37

In the light of your inquiries we have again made a most careful study of the decisions already made on the subject by the nations sponsoring the Conference and I regret to have to inform you that no provision has been made for observers from nations not invited to attend the Conference.38

Accept [etc.]

Edward R. Stettinius, Jr.
  1. Memorandum of conversation, March 15, not printed.↩
  2. Not printed.↩

  3. For agreement on the exclusion from the Conference invitation list of former enemy ‘states who had recently declared war on Germany, see Conferences at Malta and Yalta, p. 774.

    Ambassador Kirk noted in his telegram 587, February 24, 10 a.m., from Rome: “The argument which is being offered and which is incontestable is that any recognition of the Italian Government in connection with this conference would enhance its prestige at a time when such a step is vitally important to ensure continuity against the day when the north will be liberated.” (500.CG/2–2445)

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  4. In a memorandum of April 13 on top diplomatic matters, “Special information for the President”, Secretary Stettinius made the following statement with respect to Italy:

    “Italy. Although a cobelligerent since October 1943, Italy is still subject to an armistice regime and considerable control by the Allied Commission. Chiefly through our efforts, Italy’s status has improved, but less than we desire in view of the British policy of keeping Italy dependent. We have been unable to end the anomaly of Italy’s dual status as active cobelligerent and as defeated enemy. Great pressure is being brought to bear by groups in this country to make Italy one of the United Nations—a step essentially in accordance with our policy but not with that of certain other allied governments.” (711.00/4–1345)

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