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

365.1115/3–2548: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy

top secret

Washington, April 16, 1948—6 p. m.

1104. Your 1321, Mar. 25.¹ Discussion with Army, Navy, Air reveal following:

1. Navy under standing instructions evacuate should situation deteriorate.

2. Navy recommends, Dept. concurs you deliver copy evacuation plan Admiral Sherman.²

3. Navy advising Sherman establish effective liaison AmEmbassy Rome for purpose coordination.

4. Air advises that should situation remain local and not spread Europe possible air lifts contemplated 500 mile maximum haul. Clay being read in on todays conversation but suggest you not communicate direct with him but coordinate through Dept.

5. Army suggests that consideration be given to contemplating additional evacuation ports north of Naples and both coasts Italy. Advise Dept.³

6. Advise Dept. plane gas situation Rome. Contact Esso Standard Export. This info will be passed to Air.

7. Advise Dept. of internal plans. Embassy personnel and disposition of officers’ families and dependents.

Lovett

1. In this telegram, not printed, Dunn asked if the Department had taken up the possibility of sending an evacuation ship to an Italian port on short notice (365.1115/3–2548).
2. Vice Adm. Forrest Percival Sherman.
3. In telegram 1846 of April 20, not printed, Dunn reported that a copy of the plan was being sent to Admiral Sherman; that the Embassy had considered other ports but had concentrated its attention on Naples because of its size and facilities, its transportation connections, and the presence of the U.S. consulate (365.1115/4–2048).