740.00119 Control (Italy)/8–2945: Telegram
Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, to the Secretary of State
[Received August 30—6:20 p.m.]
3444. Reference your 744, August 24, 6 p.m. We informed appropriate authorities at AFHQ (Allied Force Headquarters) of Department’s views with regard to return of Udine Province to Italian Government. While British and American military authorities at AFHQ (Allied Force Headquarters) state they recognize the desirability of such step at this time, they feel that return of Udine at present in view of military considerations is somewhat questionable, but in any event will give matter full consideration and make appropriate recommendations to Combined Chiefs of Staff. There is no doubt in our minds that Yugoslav demands during Monfalcone negotiations (see our 2617 and 2624 of June 14)37 is greatly influencing [Page 1032] SAC (Supreme Allied Commander) and General Morgan in this matter and in frank discussion of this subject recently both General Morgan and General Harding have acknowledged that in their opinions it would be absolutely essential to retain Udine under AMG (Allied Military Government) control until question of Yugoslav Italian boundary is settled. American military authorities here agree that Udine Province should be held under AMG until winter at which time snows will make it more difficult to instigate disorders. However, if Department wishes to see Udine Province returned to Italian Government in near future, we recommend that strongest possible representations should be made to CCS (Combined Chiefs of Staff) and to British Foreign Office as there is little doubt in our minds that General Morgan and General Harding, commander of 13th Corps, intend to maintain AMG (Allied Military Government) as long as there is no final settlement of Italian-Yugoslav boundary.
- Neither printed.↩