865.014/5–2947
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas ( Hilldring ) to the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee
Subject: Request of Views of Joint Chiefs of Staff on the Disposition of the Italian Colonies.
According to Article 23 of the Peace Treaty with Italy, the final disposal of the Italian territorial possessions in Africa, i.e. Libya, Eritrea and Italian Somaliland shall be determined jointly by the Governments of the Soviet Union, of the United Kingdom, of the United States of America, and of France within one year from the coming into force of the present treaty. Under the terms of Annex XI of the treaty, a Commission of Investigation, composed of representatives of the four powers mentioned above, is to be sent to the Italian Colonies for the purpose of consulting the wishes of the local inhabitants and of supplying the Deputies with the data necessary to enable the Foreign Ministers to arrive at a decision regarding the future disposition of these areas. In making their recommendations to the Foreign Ministers, the Deputies will take into consideration not only the wishes and welfare of the inhabitants but also the interests of peace and security, as well as the views of other interested governments.
The Deputies may soon resume the consideration of the question, and it is therefore imperative that the United States formulate a general policy which may guide its Deputy during the period of negotiation.
[Page 584]Briefly, the United States Government has advocated trusteeship with the United Nations as the administering authority for these territories, and independence to be granted to Libya and Eritrea at the end of ten years. At the present time, however, the Department is contemplating modification of the ten-year provision for Libya, so as to allow for a longer period of trusteeship, if deemed desirable, as a result of the Commission’s findings. Alternative plans for the disposition of Eritrea are also being discussed as there is increasing doubt that this territory can become a viable state within the foreseeable future. This government has also favored a territorial cession of southeastern Eritrea giving Ethiopia access to the sea through Assab.
Although the Department is not informed of the present position, France has not previously wavered in its proposal to place the Italian Colonies under Italian Trusteeship. France has opposed any suggestion that the Colonies be granted independence, even after a period of trusteeship.
On April 29, 1946 the Soviet Union abandoned its demand for an individual trusteeship over Tripolitania, and in May 1946 supported the French proposal. At the present time the views of the U.S.S.R. on the subject of the Colonies are unknown.
While Great Britain has been sympathetic to International Trusteeship, it has not concealed its concern over the future of Cyrenaica. Reference has frequently been made by the British to their pledge to the Senussi, that these Cyrenaicans would never again be placed under Italian rule. Great Britain has also indicated an interest in Cyrenaica from a strategic point of view. It is likewise obvious that the disposition of Italian Somaliland is of great concern to the United Kingdom in view of that territory’s contiguity to the British East African possessions, which may play an important role in future military plans of the United Kingdom, once the British Army has evacuated Egypt. The British have indicated their sympathy for Ethiopian aspirations in Eritrea.
This memorandum is submitted for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the Military implications involved in the disposal of the Italian Colonies, with particular reference to the British requirements for bases in Cyrenaica and perhaps in Italian Somaliland.