700.00(S)/7–3150: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices 1
Infotel. Fol further reactions recd re Deptcirtel July 22, 1 a. m.: Ital Defense Min2 has informed Emb Rome that he has already given orders that Ital land forces be brought up to full strength of 250,000. He had recd cabinet approval for additional commitment of 50 billion lira for army in fiscal 1951 and expects authorization for small amounts in 1951 for navy and air forces. He expects to place orders immediately for arms and supplies needed for ground forces. He also said that he is increasing efficiency of training schools. He is concentrating on building up ground forces at present and needs of air force and navy will have to come later. He was categorical as to ability of Italy to meet any internal uprising and he said that if any threat as to security of country arose Govt intended immed to place under detention principal agitators who might be leaders in attempts to sabotage or weaken Govt’s efforts.3 Although Belgian cabinet engrossed over internal situation arising from Royal question, Belgian FonMin Van Zeeland has emphasized to Murphy that Belgian Govt is willing to go “as far if not further than any member of North Atl Treaty Org” in support of additional mil effort.4 Emb The Hague reports5 that top Dutch officials are undecided whether to present cabinet with revolutionary plan fundamentally altering most major postwar econ-financial policies and shift to all-out defense effort or speed up formation combat divisions and make additional mil production effort as yet unspecified. Dutch appear uncertain whether US and other Atlantic Pact countries adopting all-out effort. Emb believes there is serious possibility FonMin Stikker would resign from cabinet if Netherlands response to our approach is not vigorous. Luxembourg Govt in complete agreement with principle of our approach and PriMin has assured Leg Luxembourg immed discussions within Govt aimed at elaboration arms program.6 (Infotels July 26, 7 a. m. and July 28, 8 a. m.)
- Sent to Brussels, Copenhagen, Lisbon, London, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Reykjavik, Rome, and The Hague.↩
- Randolfo Pacciardi.↩
- This and related information was transmitted to Washington in telegrams 449 and 451 from Rome, July 27, not printed (765.5/7–2750 and 765.001/7–2750, respectively).↩
- This and related information was transmitted to Washington in an unnumbered telegram of July 24 and telegram 140 of July 28 from Brussels, neither printed (755.5 MAP/7–2450 and 740.5/7–2850, respectively).↩
- This and related information was transmitted to Washington in telegrams 141, 142, and 147 (in particular) of July 27 and telegram 149 of July 28, none printed. These telegrams are in Department of State file 740.5.↩
- Information transmitted in telegram 12 from Luxembourg, July 29, not printed (740.5/7–2950).↩