Office of the Historian

740.0011 EW (Peace)/6–1047: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France

secret
Washington, June 19, 1947—8 p. m.

2252. Dept favors Brit suggestion simultaneous deposit ratification [Page 551] instruments Ital treaty by Four Powers (ur 2277 June 101) as well as parallel action by three powers re Balkan treaties. Brit FonOff has now proposed to US, Fr and USSR that deposits be made July 1 provided in each case ex-enemy state had deposited its ratification by that time, and that in event any of latter had not done so those of Four Powers concerned would delay deposit and consider together what action shd be taken.2

Subject further consideration implications of bringing one treaty into force before others, Dept intends shortly accept Brit proposal. At same time, other powers would be informed US view that if Yugos were not to ratify prior deposit ratifications Ital treaty by Four Powers, treaty clauses relating to Venezia Giulia could not be implemented and status quo that area would have to be continued.

Dept also feels it preferable Itals ratify before deposit ratifications by Four Powers, and is prepared continue informal attempts persuade Itals this course. Dept would not agree however to formal concerted approach Ital Govt this matter by Four Powers as once suggested by Brit, feeling pressure this nature would be seized upon by Ital opponents of ratification.

Sent Paris as 2252 rptd Moscow 1354 London 2642 Rome 959 and Belgrade as 395.

Marshall
  1. Not printed; in it Ambassador Caffery reported that the French Foreign Office mentioned its understanding that the United States favored the British proposal of simultaneous deposits of ratifications by the Big Four, and asked for the views of the United States on how the ratification should be made. (740.0011 EW (Peace)/6–1047)↩

  2. This proposal was made in memorandum 41/246/47 from British Embassy to the Department of State dated June 16, not printed (740.0011 EW (Peace)/6–1647).

    In a memorandum of June 24 to the British Embassy, not printed, the Department accepted the British proposal (740.0011 EW (Peace)/6–1647).

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