865.00/9–2247: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Dunn) to the Secretary of State
urgent
2871. For the Secretary and Under Secretary. On Saturday evening (September 20) during meeting with member of Embassy staff, Prime Minister de Gasperi expressed his deep concern with respect to outcome of vote on Socialist-Communist motion of lack of confidence in present government, expected to take place at end of next week. He stated that vote, in any case, would be very close and that he would have to mobilize every possible support in order to pull through. Loss of vote of confidence, he added, would undoubtedly mean his departure from government and the formation of a government which would include those left-wing forces which brought about his defeat.
Immediate measures of support of the present government, prior to the vote of confidence, may be the decisive factor. I recommend strongly therefore, that the following measures be taken by the US Government prior to the vote of confidence: (1) Immediate availability of the dollar counterpart of prisoner of war certificates, estimated at 20 million dollars, (2) immediate certification by War Department of remaining dollars forming counterpart of American lire spent in Italy, (3) immediate restitution of 24 tons of Fortezza gold which it has now been agreed is to be restored to Italy, (4) transference to Italian Government under surplus property agreement of July 21, 1947, of three wrecked ships lying in Italian territorial waters which Maritime Commission propose offering generally on sealed bids.
I strongly recommend that the US Government announce these measures, involving some 50 or 60 million dollars, together in one press release prior to the vote of confidence.