740.0011 EW (Peace)/5–1047

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs (Reber)

Subject: Statement of policy to accompany announcement of United States ratification of Italian Treaty.

In a conversation with the Italian Ambassador last night, which naturally turned on the approval by the Foreign Relations Committee of ratification of the Italian Peace Treaty,1 Signor Tarchiani urged [Page 546] that, when the time comes to announce final approval of these treaties, any such announcement be accompanied by a statement of policy toward Italy. He hoped that such a statement would include renewed assurances of continuing United States interest in Italy, of its friendship toward the Italian people and its desire to be of all possible assistance to them. He understood that such a statement would be made on the floor of the Senate. He hoped also that the Secretary or the President could make one, as the assurance of executive as well as of legislative interest in this problem would go far, he felt, to allay some of the discouragement which would undoubtedly be felt in Italy when people realized there was no present hope that the treaties would not go into effect. Public opinion in Italy considers that United States action on the treaties will be decisive one, and when the United States has ratified these treaties there will be no delay in their entry into force.

S[amuel] R[eber]
  1. On May 9 the Committee had unanimously recommended ratification of the four treaties. Treaties of Peace With Italy, Rumania, Bulgaria, and Hungary: Senate Executive Report 4, 80th Congress, 1st Session, To Accompany Executives F, G, H, and I, p. 14.