Office of the Historian

840.50 Recovery/3–1548

Memorandum Prepared in the Department of State1

[Washington,] March 15, 1948.

(A) Should Italy fall under Communist control, what would be the effect on the European Recovery Program generally?

[Page 850]

(B) Should Italy fall under Communist rule, what would be the effect on Greece and Turkey, particularly in relation to the proposed aid program?

It does not seem probable that in a free and fair election the Italian people would abandon their liberties and vote in favor of a regime controlled by the Italian Communist Party which has openly declared its opposition to the European Recovery Program and to the American aid which is to make that recovery possible.

Should the Italian Communists seize power in Italy by illegal means, this would create a situation which would so seriously affect the national security of the United States that we would be compelled to re-examine all our Recovery Programs and the entire European situation.

We cannot afford to postpone action upon the Greek and Turkish program pending the outcome of the struggle now taking place in Italy. We must make clear to the Greek people that they have our support in their heroic efforts to maintain their independence. Also we must demonstrate to the Turkish people that they, too, can continue to depend upon our assistance.

  1. The memorandum, prepared for the Secretary of State, was initialed by the Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs, Thorp, by the Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Douglas, the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs, Henderson, and the Director of the Office of European Affairs, Hickerson.

    The memorandum was in response to an “urgent” memorandum of the same date, not printed, which was addressed to the four by the Secretary who requested answers to the two questions as stated. Senator Vandenberg had asked the Secretary that morning for answers which he could use in the debate on the Greek-Turkish program. (840.50 Recovery/3–1548)

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