865.4016/7–648: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Dunn ) to the Secretary of State
2893. We have delivered to Foreign Office message based on Deptel 1751 June 25 (sent Berlin 1113, repeated Vienna 5611). We were orally assured that Department’s views would be brought to attention interested Italian authorities in Italy and in Germany and Austria and that we would be kept informed of progress. Official with whom we spoke indicated that from Italian point of view registration of optants who wish to return to Italy is proceeding smoothly, and that many of those who left Italy 1939 appear reluctant to break ties made since then by returning. While Italian Government does not intend seeking to persuade them, Austrian Government continues its efforts along those lines. For example, we were told, Austrians thought up scheme of large scale tours of prospective repatriates to South Tyrol, so that potential repatriates might have an opportunity to see what awaited them. Italians decline authorize any but small scale operation of this sort. It was clear that Foreign Office, with whom we discussed this matter periodically for past eight months, have in no way altered their firm view that no 1939 optant should be forced to return to Italy, especially by Austrian pressures. (See my tel 1444 April 1, rptd. Vienna 25, Berlin 262). Quite apart from general population problem here, continued Austrian efforts to get all optants back where-ever they may be are not taken kindly by Italians who are led to [Page 1356] suspicion that Austrians deliberately building foundations for irredentists movement in South Tyrol.
Sent Department 2893, repeated Berlin 73, Vienna 55.