Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume IV

740.00119 E.W./10–1345: Telegram

Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, to the Secretary of State

Caserta, October 13, 1945—9 a.m.
[Received 12:22 p.m.]

3868. War Dept has informed Acting SAC (Supreme Allied Commander) that there is growing US public opinion that only very strong reasons should prevent any publication of Italian armistice terms. In its message War Dept advises McNarney that it understands Secretary of State has intimated to newspapermen that only War Department is withholding publication and requests McNarney’s views on publication from military viewpoint.

Deputy British Resident Minister is of opinion that Foreign Office does not favor publication until more lenient document has been drawn up to replace present armistice terms. Our view is that publication, if decided, should be coupled with statement by both governments along lines your press conference October 11 [10], 1945⁷⁸ that terms are very harsh and obsolete and a new instrument is under consideration. In this connection it should be borne in mind present strict objections made by British Admiralty and airforce opposing any softening of armistice terms.

CoS (Chief of Staff) informed us that while question of publication is now under study McNarney’s preliminary view is that there does not appear to be any military objection to publication and impression of AFHQ is that publication is being withheld for political and not military reasons.

Since McNarney will request our opinion at meeting October 15 to consider reply to War Dept, please instruct us of your views.

AFHQ is also consulting Admiral Stone.

It is hoped Dept will not use this message as basis of any discussion of this subject with War Department.

Kirk

78. Mr. Byrnes at press conference on October 10 stated that at the London Conference he “could not secure the agreement of either our British friend or our Soviet friend at that time to a revision of the armistice terms. The armistice terms as far as Italy is concerned are obsolete. They are very harsh. They admittedly should be revised but when we undertook the drafting of a peace treaty with Italy, any effort at modifying the armistice terms was abandoned because there was no reason for it because of the fact that we were unable to write a treaty of peace or had any hopes of it being adopted in a short time”.