865.00/3–2248: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Dunn ) to the Secretary of State
1256. International events completely dominated Italian electoral stage during past week with final act having strong appeal to Italian national feeling but their full influence upon public is as yet difficult to appraise. However, President Truman’s speech,1 American official statements upon aid to Italy if Communist front should win election,2 developing western European unity, and culminating démarche concerning Trieste undoubtedly have had a most salutary effect in clarifying issues for the confused Italian voter. Morale among Government parties has been raised, while the PDF (Popular Democratic Front) at the moment appears on the defensive in campaign.
There is undefinable but certain optimism in non-Communist political circles which was not evident at beginning of March. (See my 1030, March 10).3 In addition to recent positive utterances and acts from [Page 859] abroad the increased activity of non-Communist parties and civic organizations in campaign has in itself generated a growing confidence among these party workers and their moderate Democratic following. Appearance of excellent anti-Communist but otherwise non-Partisan wall posters (for example: one bearing head of Stalin followed by letter of disassociation from Giuseppe Garibaldi to Giuseppe Stalin posted throughout Italy on Feast Day of San Giuseppe March 19); the beginning of “V” campaign by non-Communists; reports of growing strength in north of social unity (Saragat–Lombardo and company) and considerable success reported for government and rightist party political rallies throughout country are encouraging tangible evidence of belated but vigorous reaction to front’s campaigns.
While it is difficult to assess true basis for this new though moderate, optimism which may not be justified we must renew it as factor in development of campaign which, if nothing else, will have salutary effect on timid, uncertain elements in electorate. Importance to electoral result will, of course, depend on ability of government and other moderate elements to maintain and increase tempo of their activity up to April 18. The election truce continues but speeches are becoming sharp, including such matters as De Gasperi’s charge (see mytel 1225, March 19)4 of Communist plot. Communists are now referring to their political opposition as “De Gasperi–Truman” and L’Unità urged its readers to “reply to Truman by joining the bloc”. Warmonger charges are hurled at government where the PDF holds itself to be only hope of keeping Italy at peace. On other hand, Nenni Socialist Avanti on March 20 minimized effects of a PDF victory upon Italy’s “common interests with US” and sought to climb back upon well-known Socialist East-West bridge which others might unkindly call the fence.
Two glaring examples should be mentioned of Communist attempts to keep public uncertain about US attitudes. One was in quoting only first part of McDermott press statement upon post-election aid to Italy (remytel 1187, March 17).5 Happily the Secretary’s subsequent remarks have obliged Communists to drop pretense (remytel 1241, March 20)6 and openly to denounce US position. Second instance involved CGIL Secretary General Di Vittorio who on returning from his London meeting with Carey of CIO gave conflicting views on substance of their talks to effect American labor would see Italy received every aid.
Question of Trieste had been quiescent until public received complete surprise welcome weekend news that western powers had specifically requested Trieste be returned to Italy. Communists tried [Page 860] to lessen its excellent effect upon public opinion by Togliatti declaring Trieste could only return to Italy when there was democratic independent regime in country. L’Unità also demanded Bidault help in getting revision of treaty boundaries between Italy and France.
On matter of colonies main event of interest was presentation by Italian Government of memo to London conference asking trusteeship for Libya (see mytel 1178, March 17).7
Signs were unmistakable to Italians of country’s participation in international events upon basis of complete equality with other states. The proceedings of 16-Nations Conference Paris were extensively publicized, with Italy’s role being expounded at first session by Foreign Minister Sforza. The signature March 20 of Franco-Italian protocol for eventual Customs Union was featured in this matter but naturally was subordinated in popular mind to announcement by Bidault concerning proposed return of Trieste to Italy. In addition to actions already discussed important events were turnover of 29 ships to Italian Government with warning to prospective immigrants to US that they were excludable if Communist Party members. Soviet acts were at minimum with one report quickly dying that Soviet held Italian ships would be returned, while another involved possible dispatch to Italy of 25,000 tons of scrap iron from Russian zone in Germany to assist country economically (see mytel 1255, March 22).7 Soviet attempt to link reparations to commercial treaty negotiations with Italy had a mixed public reaction. It must be emphasized that retention by US and other western powers of this balance of initiative may be a decisive factor in outside elections.8
Sent Department 1256, repeated Paris 179, London 131.
- For the text of President Truman’s “Special Message
to the Congress on the Threat to the Freedom of Europe,” delivered
March 17 to a joint session of the Congress, see Public Papers of the United States: Harry S. Truman, 1948,
pp. 182–186, and for his Saint Patrick’s Day Address in New York
City delivered at 10:30 p. m. that same evening, pp. 186–190.
See also the Statement by the President, “Transfer of Passenger and Cargo Vessels to Italy,” released to the press by the White House March 16, text in the Department of State Bulletin, April 4, 1948, p. 454.
↩ - See footnote 3, p. 853.↩
- Ante, p. 845.↩
- Not printed. This press telegram has no reference to a Communist plot.↩
- Not printed, but see telegram 1165, March 16, p. 853.↩
- Ante, p. 857.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed.↩
- In telegram 1273 of March 22, not printed, Dunn reported a favorable reaction in the independent and right wing press to Secretary Marshall’s address at the University of California at Los Angeles, March 20, 1948 (711.00/3–2248). For text of this speech see Department of State Press Release No. 221, March 19 (future release).↩