840.50 Recovery/3–2448: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy
urgent
819. Murray and Carey indicate willingness send 2 or 3 sound Ital speaking CIO trade union leaders to discuss ERP with Ital trade unionists1 but believe visit prior to elections might be resented Ital labor and play into Communist hands. They think visit after election preferable.
Dept feels that split away of CGIL minority and formation non-Communist trade union center will inevitably occur as in France since Communists will almost certainly call strikes designed cripple Ital economy and ERP if they lose election. We indicated to Murray and Carey they can help materially if disposed to encourage CGIL minority breakaway and give moral support and financial aid.2
Carey and to some extent Murray still seem reluctant take active steps in this direction but AFL will cooperate fully in any such effort.
Will you evaluate possibility and timing of CGIL split; advise us whether CIO–AFL visit would be useful and best time for such visit. Invitation to AFL and CIO should we think come from CGIL minority on basis of relations already established at London ERP conference.
- In the convention of the CIO at Boston in 1947 Secretary Marshall spoke, emphasizing the need for aiding the countries of Europe and following the address the CIO unanimously adopted a foreign policy resolution embodying the principles stated by Marshall.↩
- In Dunn’s press telegram 1378, March 27, not printed, it was reported that Popolo (Christian Democratic) and Umanità (Saragat Socialist) reported Carey’s declaration that the Communist version of the conversations with him in London were grossly false. Unità (Communist) and Avanti (Nenni Socialist) did not mention the report. (840.50 Recovery/3–2748)↩