Office of the Historian

865.51/10–1047: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State

secret
us urgent
London, October 10, 1947—noon.

5466. ReDeptel 4217 [4207], September 30, to London, repeated Rome 1884.1 Fortezza2 protocol signed on schedule 11 a. m. London time by Gallman for US, Bevin for UK and Italian Chargé B. Migone.3

Text follows that quoted Embstel 5353, October 3, repeated Rome 120, Paris 5361, October 4, repeated Paris 555, Rome 121, October 6 and Embstel 5391, October 7, repeated Paris 559, Rome 123. US copy being forwarded cover air despatch immediately.4

Sent Department 5466; repeated Paris 562; Rome 128.

Gallman
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. In telegram 1442, May 29, 1945, from Rome, not printed, Ambassador Kirk reported that the gold discovered by U.S. troops at Fortezza, valued at approximately $25 million, had been identified as a portion of the gold reserve of the Bank of Italy, apparently removed to northern Italy by the Fascist Republican government. (865.515/5–2945) In the memorandum by Ness of June 3 (ante, p. 913), the value of the gold was estimated at $28 million. For additional information, see Department of State Bulletin, October 19, 1947, p. 770.↩
  3. Bartolomeo Migone.↩
  4. None printed; for text of the Protocol, “Transfer to Italian Government of Gold Captured at Fortezza”, see Department of State Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS) No. 1658, or 61 Stat. (pt. 3) 3239.↩