865.00/3–648: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
910. For Douglas’s eyes only. To be delivered personally to Ambassador Douglas.1 Following is record of March 6 talk with Bevin: “Douglas called on Bevin this morning to have final talk, before leaving for Washington, on number pending matters. Following subjects were covered during talk:
“Possible ways strengthening De Gasperi government; withdrawal of ambassadors from Praha for consultation; reparations’ ERP; and CEEC.
“A. De Gasperi Government
“Bevin opened conversation on subject. Careful thought, he said, is being given to steps British Government can take to strengthen De Gasperi government, particularly during period of electoral campaign. He then reviewed what British were prepared to do.
“The TUC, he said, had invited Christian Union trade group to send observers to trade union talks on ERP opening in London next week. Bevin here explained that while French have now three trade union groups, the CGT, Force Ouvriére, and also a Christian Union group, all of which are recognized by TUC, and therefore, under TUC rules eligible for formal invitations, there is but one comparable organization in Italy, the CGT. But the TUC did not want to invite it to send delegates. It turned, therefore, to the break-away Christian Union group and while being barred from asking it to send delegates, it had asked that observers be sent. As observers they will not be able to vote. The move does show, however, that the TUC wants friendly relations with Italian trade union group close to De Gasperi government.
“As to some move by British Labor Party to strengthen position of Saragat wing of Italian Socialist Party, Bevin explained that word was still awaited from Morgan Phillips, Secretary General of British Labor Party, as to what can be done in this field. It is actively under consideration. The thing that had to be kept in mind in this connection, Bevin pointed out, was how to weaken Nenni and his group without making a martyr of Nenni.
“On the question of future of Italian colonies, Bevin said nothing [Page 844] could now be done. British Government maintained position that nothing could be said or done until commission investigating colonies had completed its task. Douglas stated here that that, too, was position of US.
“As to readmission of Italy to Tangier administration, Bevin agreed with Douglas that now that Soviets had agreed to Italy’s readmission, everything should be done to make Italy’s readmission effective as soon as possible. A message in this sense had just been sent by Foreign Office to Washington, Paris and Tangier.
“British Government, Bevin continued, is now consulting with French Government to see whether France will agree with British to waive surrender by Italy of war criminals guilty of crimes against French and British subjects. Effect of this would be to leave Yugoslavia as only other country still calling for surrender of this category of war criminals and leaving it to Italy to deal with them under Italian law.
“Bevin also said a ship was being sent to Trieste for repairs. He suggested that if we had any ships in that part of Mediterranean that needed repairs, it would be good if we did same thing.
“He was doubtful of advisability of sending Naval ships at this time on visits to Italian ports. Douglas said he shared Bevin’s doubts.
“Bevin then said that if the elections go along in ordinary way in Italy, British did not want to interfere. But if between now and election day De Gasperi government should be threatened by another regime, De Gasperi government should not resign but insist on remaining as the legitimate government and then, Bevin said, question of military support for De Gasperi government should be considered. That was the line his thinking was taking. (For what it might be worth, he said, he had received a report that Russians were now easing up on Greece but preparing for some kind of putsch in Italy. A record of this, he emphasized, could be made for Douglas’ personal memory.)
“At this point, Douglas brought up question of giving Italy opportunity present her views on German economy.
“Bevin replied to this that he would discuss with his colleagues whether they would be agreeable to handing Italians synopsis of Cabinet paper covering tripartite talks on Germany. If this were done, any Italian views or comments could then be considered at next tripartite talks on Germany. Douglas here said he saw no objection giving Italy such synopsis.
“Bevin then said, and emphasized that this should be kept very guardedly, that if he could get Cabinet clearance he would next week, when he hopes to see Bidault, have a ‘behind the scenes talk with Bidault’ to get French agreement to Italy’s admission to African [Page 845] Development Council. If this could later be cleared with Belgians and Portuguese, it would pave way for using Italian manpower in various agricultural and building projects in Africa.
“B. Ambassadors in Praha
“Douglas told Bevin we had decided not to withdraw our ambassador in Praha for consultation. Bevin said he was glad of that, and that British ambassador would also not be called home.
[Here follow summaries of Mr. Bevin’s views on Reparations, the European Recovery Program, and the Committee for European Economic Cooperation.]
- Ambassador Douglas planned to
fly to Washington, leaving London March 6, but had to postpone his
flight by one day because of fog (London telegram 908, March 6,
1948, File 123 Douglas, Lewis W.). He arrived in Washington March 7
(Departmental telegram to London 794, March 8, ibid.).
Presumably Douglas proposed to show the message directly to Secretary Marshall.
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