740.0011 EW Peace/7–3147: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy

secret
u.s. urgent

1288. For the Ambassador. Brit Embassy has informed us that Brit Govt “on financial and manpower grounds” has decided to withdraw Brit troops from Greece and reduce those in Italy to the 5,000 provided for in Annex 7 of the Italian treaty. Brit Embassy said that no announcement foregoing decision is being made.1

[Page 952]

War Dept has been informed. Your comments on effect this decision in so far as it applies to Italy are urgently desired.2

Marshall
  1. For the text of the note of July 30 from the British Charge, see vol. v, p. 268.
  2. See infra.