740.5/8–1151: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy 1
722. 1) If appears desirable after consultation with Fr Emb (re Paris tel 892 Aug 8 rptd Rome 392) Emb auth urge on Itals desirability rapid action Eur Army Conf. May explain our understanding govts participating Paris Steering Comite not committed by attendance mtgs, and having understood Itals shared this view we unable understand their hesitation. You may also explain our interest in rapid action as described Secy’s ltrs to Morrison and Sehuman (Depcirtel 126 Aug 10).3
2) FYI Dept appreciates Itals attach similar urgency ques revision Ital Peace Treaty4 for reasons closely analogous those set forth Secy’s ltr on Ger relationships. Anticipate that Itals will one way or another learn of ltr and if have not already done so will perceive opportunity they have to assure that progress on Ital Treaty revision keeps pace with progress on Ger ques by blocking action in Eur Army Conf until assured their Treaty will be handled on approx same time table. Also anticipate deGasperi will want discuss Ital Treaty problem during or after Sep NATO mtg and request any info Emb has in this respect.
3) Accordingly, if Itals raise this aspect Emb auth inform them Dept appreciates urgency Ital Treaty ques and will endeavor conclude consultations with Brit and Fr during mtgs Secy with Morrison and Sehuman prior Ottawa NATO mtg in expectation three govts conclusions and suggestions may be conveyed Ital Govt mid-Sep.
- This telegram, which was drafted by Joseph N. Greene, Jr., of the Office of Western European Affairs and was concurred in by Matthews and James G. Parsons, Deputy Director of the Office of European Regional Affairs, was repeated for information to Paris as 936 and to London as 923.↩
- Not printed. It reported that the Italian Government would not agree to any meetings of the Steering Committee of the European Army Conference prior to September 10. The Italian Government appeared to be unwilling to become committed to any text of a draft European defense treaty before that date. The French Ambassador in Italy was urgently instructed by his government to persuade the Italian Foreign Ministry to instruct the Italian representative to participate in Steering Committee meetings necessary to complete action on a draft treaty in the coming few weeks. (740.5/8–851)↩
- The circular telegram under reference is not printed. Regarding the Secretary’s letter under reference, see the editorial note, supra.↩
- For documentation on the attitude of the United States toward the revision of the Treaty of Peace with Italy, see volume iv.↩