Office of the Historian

500.CC/4–3045: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chairman of the United States Delegation at San Francisco (Stettinius)

Washington, April 30, 1945—11:23 a.m.

3. The question of Italian, participation in the conference at San Francisco was discussed in the Staff Committee94 this morning. Reference was made to the communication of the Italian Government95 sent directly to the President of UNCIO and the forty-six delegations protesting Italy’s exclusion from the conference; to the recent liberation of the north of Italy,96 due in large measure to action of Italian Patriots and unification of Italy under Government at Rome; and to indications that Argentina may be invited to participate at UNCIO in some capacity other than United Nation. In the light of these developments and the desire to support the moderate and democratic elements represented in the Government at Rome at a time when the heavy responsibilities of the north’s liberation will fall upon it, it was the consensus of the Staff Committee that we should reopen the question of Italy’s immediate participation in UNCIO in some capacity.97 Before putting this question up to the President we would of course like to have your views.98

There was some feeling in the Committee this morning that you would meet serious objections to such a proposal in certain quarters principally from the French, Greek and Yugoslav delegations if not the British.

Grew
  1. The Secretary of State’s Staff Committee.↩
  2. Not printed.↩
  3. See United States and Italy, 1936–1946: Documentary Record (Department of State publication No. 2669), p. 126.↩
  4. A memorandum of April 13, 1945, by the Secretary of State to President Truman, providing special information on top diplomatic matters at the moment, contained the following statement on 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)↩
  5. Mr. Stettinius replied in telegram 6, May 3, as follows: “… While we appreciate the considerations behind the suggestion, we feel it would be unwise, at least this early in the Conference, to raise the matter here. We shall keep it in mind.” (500.CC/5–345)↩