Office of the Historian

740.0011 EW (Peace)/1–2147: Telegram

The Chargé in Italy (Key) to the Secretary of State

top secret
Rome, January 21, 1947—7 p. m.

155. Embtel 41 January 7.1 De Gasperi last evening after cabinet resignation expressed following views to Stone2 which latter has communicated to SAC:3

1.
All De Gasperi’s information is that Yugos will not sign treaty.
2.
Elaborating on statement in his Cleveland speech De Gasperi expressed opinion that Italy also will probably not sign voluntarily although he appreciates that, unlike Yugos position as an ally, Italy as a defeated power can be compelled to sign by the victors.
3.
De Gasperi formally asked Stone to inquire of SAC whether Allied Forces in Zone A will be withdrawn from Morgan Line, including specifically Pola,4 in event treaty goes into effect on R–Day as it can without Yugo signature or ratification.

We understand that SAC will submit De Gasperi’s inquiry to CCS. Stone has suggested to SAC that it should be considered on basis that Italy has signed prior to R–Day because it is his understanding (as it is the Embassy’s) that treaty will not be submitted to US senate for ratification without signature of Italy.

Key
  1. Not printed; in it Key reported having learned from the British Ambassador that there were circles in the United States who were opposed to the Italian peace treaty as drafted and who were advising Italians not to sign; that both Ambassadors Quarone and Carandini (respectively to the Soviet Union and to Great Britain) had reported that circles in the United States advised against signing the treaty and had suggested as an alternative a bi-lateral Italo-American peace settlement (740.00119 EW/1–747).↩
  2. Rear Adm. Ellery Wheeler Stone, U.S.N.R., Deputy President and Chief Commissioner, Allied Commission, June 22, 1944–January 31, 1947; then Head of the Italian Military Affairs Section, Allied Force Headquarters, February 1–March 15, 1947.↩
  3. Lt. Gen. John C. H. Lee.↩
  4. See footnote 2, p. 518. For documentation on United States interest in the establishment of the Free Territory of Trieste, see vol. iv, pp. 51 ff.↩