Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Western Europe, Volume III

865.24/3–1848: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy (Dunn) to the Secretary of State

secret
urgent

Rome, March 18, 1948—1 p. m.

Niact 1195. Prime Minister has now notified me that his consultation with Einaudi, Facchinetti and Trezzani has resulted in his being ready to bind Italian Government to arrangement along following lines:

1. Shipment through Bremerhaven and by rail through zone of occupation in Germany with entry of material into Italy after April 18. Exception can be made for prior receipt such supplies as can be sent to Bolzano without their being discovered.

2. Full acceptance of American offer and payment of amount stipulated before June 30. He is ready to sign appropriate document to this effect. It is understood that cost may be increased because of longer journey required through Germany and that it would also be changed to accord with any reduction caused by non-delivery of materials.

3. General Trezzani is authorized to specify exact delivery arrangements.

De Gasperi again expressed his appreciation and reiterated his firm resolve to face issue of Communism through to end. He seemed confident and resolute.

I hope Department can succeed in persuading military authorities to make shipments through Germany as requested.¹ Prime Minister again emphasized absolute need for secrecy at this time and also inquired whether mention of shipment needed to be put in US budget. I should appreciate being able to reassure him on this point. Emphasis on supplies being sent through Germany appears to be based on an assumption that they can be sent to US forces there and that destination to Italy not be made public until after April 18.²

We have not yet heard re method of shipment desired for Navy supplies.³

Dunn

1. In MAR 97 of March 18, unnumbered to the Department, not printed, Colonel Willems vigorously urged that every effort be made to accommodate De Gasperi, emphasizing “that the initial goal toward which all efforts must be bent is electoral defeat of Communist Socialist block. There is no justification in abandoning confidence in sensitivity of De Gasperi to political implications pre-election period and it would appear doubly important now that we continue lend assistance to his Government in every practical manner.”

   Regarding shipment of equipment now located in Germany, which De Gasperi viewed in a different light, Colonel Willems stated: “OFLC has sold to Italian salvage combine as scrap approximately 70,000 tons US surplus ammunition for demilitarization in Italy. Considerable portion of total is small arms ammunition, mainly grade 3 (this matter will be subject of separate cable). Ammunition has been moving through Brennero in sealed cars at minimum frequency 4 trains weekly for past month and will continue. No press comment whatsoever except repeat of EuCom factually pro release. Thus, while patently the shipment of arms and ammunition, purchased by government under either part of WARX 96225 cannot be kept secret, we feel purpose of shipment can be cloaked particularly if cars routed initially to same destinations and under identical arrangements obtaining for scrap shipments.” (865.24/3–1848)

2. In telegram 773 to Rome, March 20, Acting Secretary Thorp informed Dunn that the Army was exploring all possibilities for complying with De Gasperi’s request, and despite difficulties felt that acceptable arrangements could be worked out. Thorp instructed Dunn to get the Prime Minister’s signature on an appropriate instrument as soon as possible (865.24/3–1848).
3. In telegram 1274 of March 22, not printed, Dunn reported that the Italian Admiralty had informed the Naval Attaché of their readiness to accept as soon as possible naval matériel shipped directly to Italy (865.24/3–2248).