865.014/3–647: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy 1
335. Only point regarding Italian Colonies on which Secretary gave Tarchiani assurances during conversation of Feb 28 was in connection Italian request representation Quadripartite Commission of Investigation. Secretary stated we favored arrangement whereby Italians would be given opportunity consult with commission, as reported Deptel 297 Mar 1.
Secretary stated further that he was not familiar with various proposals for disposition of colonies but hoped to find time to study them. No assurances, however, were given we would support Italian trusteeship over Italian Colonies, as reported in Rome press (Embtel 457 Mar 42). In view this fact, Dept not only concerned about leak reported urtel 489 Mar 6,2 but also with fact that alleged assurances regarding US support Italian trusteeship unfounded in fact.
In your discretion, you may draw this matter informally to attention Foreign Office and suggest that it take steps to correct false impression created in order to avoid raising false hopes Italian people.
-
The substance of this telegram was sent in telegrams 42 to Addis Ababa, 441 to Cairo, 404 to Rome, 1281 to London, 1062 to Paris, and 621 to Moscow, March 22, none printed (865.014/3–1947).
Telegram 412, March 22, to Cairo, not printed, stated that the Department had received a joint telegram from three Tripolitanian political parties (El Kutla, El Watania, and El Horpa) protesting the alleged United States support for an Italian trusteeship over the Italian colonies. Embassy Cairo was instructed to be guided by telegram 411 in taking the necessary steps to correct erroneous reports in the press (865.014/3–1947).
↩ - Not printed.↩
- Not printed.↩