740.00119 Control (Italy)/12–745: Telegram
Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:38 p.m.]
4225. Reference our 4222 of December 7. SAC has informed Broad55 and us he agrees with proposed communication to Italian Government but feels question of public announcements up to Italian Government. He himself is opposed to making one. General Morgan has stressed to ResMin that difficulties will arise at time when northern provinces are handed over to Italian Government. Until that point, SAC’s order will remain in force to effect that not [no?] Italian troops should enter 15-mile belt along frontier. Morgan considers that it would be illogical and undesirable for him to insist on continuation of this order [when?] area is handed back to Italian Government, moreover, he points out that when handover takes place and Italian administration is substituted for AMG only a few American observers will remain in northern Italy except in Venezia Giulia and Udine. In SAC’s opinion French will probably find this very unpalatable.
SAC therefore considers it essential that understanding should be reached with French Government between now and time of handing over of northern provinces. He also considers it would be helpful if British and US Ambassadors in Rome at time of handover impress upon Italian Government vital necessity in its own interest of avoiding any action in this area which might lead to difficulties with French. ResMin is telegraphing foregoing views of General Morgan to Foreign Office.
Repeated to Rome No. 49 and Paris as 235.
- Philip Broad, Acting Counselor, Office of the British Minister Resident, Allied Force Headquarters, Caserta.↩