The United States participation in discussions on disposition of the former Italian colonies in Africa

Editorial Note

According to Article 23 and Annex XI of the Treaty of Peace with Italy, signed in Paris on February 10, 1947 (Department of State Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS) No. 1648), the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and France agreed that they would, within one year from the coming into force of the Treaty, jointly determine the final disposition of Italy’s former territorial possessions in Africa. The Deputies of the Council of Foreign Ministers were to consider the question of the disposition of the former Italian colonies and to report their recommendations on the matter to the Council. In order to obtain factual information upon which to base their recommendations, the Deputies were to send to the former colonies commissions of investigation to examine conditions in the colonies and to determine the views of the local inhabitants. The documents that follow in this compilation relate to the convening of the meetings of the Deputies for the Former Italian Colonies, the establishment of the Commissions of Investigation, and the views of other interested governments and authorities on the procedure and nature of the final disposition of the territories.

For the documentation on the negotiation of the Treaty of Peace with Italy by the Council of Foreign Ministers at Paris, April–July 1946, and at New York, November–December 1946, as well as at the Paris Peace Conference, August-October 1946, see Foreign Relations, 1946, volumes II, III, and IV. For documentation on the signing, ratification, and deposit of ratification of the Treaty, see ante, pages 515 ff.


[361] The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy

865.014/1–1147: Telegram


[362] The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

865.014/2–1947: Telegram


[363] The British Embassy to the Department of State

740.0011 EW Peace/3–747


[364] The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy

865.014/3–647: Telegram


[365] The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

865.014/3–647: Telegram


[366] The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

865.014/4–347: Telegram


[367] The Ambassador in Egypt (Tuck) to the Secretary of State

865C.01/4–447: Telegram


[368] The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

865.014/4–347: Telegram


[372] Position Paper Prepared in the Department of State

CFM Files: Lot M–88: Box 111: IC Files


[373] The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State

865.014/6–1747: Telegram


[374] The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

865.014/6–2747: Telegram


[375] The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

865.014/7–347: Telegram


[377] The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

865.014/7–1047: Telegram


[378] The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

865.014/7–1847: Telegram


[379] The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

865.014/7–2247: Telegram


[380] The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Clark) to the Secretary of State

865.014/8–1947: Telegram


[381] The British Embassy to the Department of State

865.014/9–1947


[382] Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Henderson) to the Secretary of State

Files of the Office of Near Eastern, South Asian and African Affairs: Lot 55 D 36