740.0011 EW (Peace)/5–1447: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Dunn) to the Secretary of State
1155. I do not feel that we should be bound by a prearranged R–Day as long as there is any question of Yugoslav ratification (see Leghorn’s telegram 61 to Department April 26). Furthermore I think we would be putting ourselves in a disadvantageous position if we attempted to include the Yugoslavs with the Big Four in bringing the treaty into force contrary to the spirit of article 90 of the treaty as drafted in Paris last year.
I have shown this telegram to Greene and appreciate the military’s desire to secure a fixed schedule for their future movements in this theater. In the final analysis however I feel the best plan is to allow the various ratifications to take their normal course and (Department’s telegram 322, March 6) to retain our own liberty of action up to the last.
Sent Department as 1155; repeated Leghorn 37.