Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 1

740.5/–2253: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy (Luce) to the Department of State ¹

top secret

Rome, May 22, 1953—7 p.m.

4857. Noforn. For S/S, EUR, NEA, no other distribution. From Unger.

Appointment Admiral Carney as CNO² raises question of his successor’s service and nationality. Carney feels and I agree that selection of new CINCSOUTH is matter of importance to US foreign policy, since this post has considerable influence on conduct of American foreign policy in Mediterranean and European areas. I am passing along following observations therefore for whatever use Department may wish to put them.

While in Central Europe strength of US is manifested through US Army and Air Force, in Southern European and Mediterranean areas there is no likelihood that US Army or Air Force units will be deployed in significant numbers to demonstrate US interest or influence US foreign policy, and Sixth Fleet is only practicable method of making effective military display of flag here. Moreover fleet carries with it additional powerful instrument of national policy in its atomic capabilities. I think there is little doubt that Italy, Greece and Turkey have each been deeply impressed on occasion with demonstrations of this considerable potential force present along their shores, and Admiral Cassady’s³ visits to Yugoslavia, Spain and countries of Levant have probably had similar effect.

Reports received from time to time in Naples through military channels indicate continuing efforts of British, presumably for sound national policy reasons of their own, to gain measure of control over Sixth Fleet in one way or another. Most recently Mountbatten said to have stated that should Carney’s relief be US Army or Air officer it would simplify “situation” with respect to US Navy. He has also indicated that good solution would be to place Sixth Fleet directly under Admiral Fife,⁴ Mountbatten’s deputy. Admiral Carney is firmly persuaded that this is in line with continuing British policy of which he has seen numerous evidences over recent years. Should Sixth Fleet come under control of another nationality, it would serve to deprive this region of its powerful and sole military instrument. This might moreover open way to diversion of Sixth Fleet to tasks other than those in support of NATO.

Admiral Carney believes that relationship between sea power and national policy is so continually a factor in problems of this region that US Navy officer could best be depended upon to interpret correctly various international moves which, if not thoroughly understood, could lead to vitiation of US international posture here. For these reasons, he considers it vital that a US naval officer succeed him.⁵ I note in this connection that personality and character of candidates would also obviously have to be weighed in balance with this factor. From standpoint of international politics and diplomacy and character and morale of peoples in this region, Carney emphasizes that officer designated must have prestige, force of personality and willingness and ability to give sympathetic attention to local problems and personalities, without yielding when firmness is called for.

For Department’s information Admiral Carney, pursuant to questions from General Ridgway, has expressed views on foregoing lines to latter in writing and also to Admiral Fechteler. He will be expressing them also in discussions he will attend in Washington next week.

Foregoing observations are based in large part on views Admiral Carney has expressed to me. On basis my observations of conduct of this command I concur in them and am persuaded moreover that Admiral’s views are founded not on individual service or personal considerations, but represent his considered judgment from standpoint of overall foreign policy of US.⁶

Luce

1. Repeated to Paris eyes only for Reinhardt.
2. On May 12 it had been announced that Admiral Carney had been nominated for the post of U.S. Chief of Naval Operations.
3. Vice Adm. John H. Cassady, U.S.N., Commander Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe, and Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet.
4. Vice Adm. James Fife, Jr., U.S. Naval Deputy Commander in Chief, Mediterranean.
5. Next to this sentence in the source text was the handwritten notation “Agree”.
6. On May 25 it was announced that Admiral Fechteler had been appointed to replace Admiral Carney as Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe. He assumed command on Aug. 17, 1953.