500.A15 a 1/41: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Fletcher) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 21—11:42 a.m.]
24. At noon today reply of Italian Government, stating that to its regret it cannot accede to proposal contained in our memorandum of February 10, was handed to me. Text will be given press here 10 p.m. today. Italian Ambassador in Washington has been instructed to give verbal explanation of reasons which underlie Italy’s action.
I was told that if the President could arrange to have the great powers agree in advance that French-Italian parity established at Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament should be accepted and if provision were made that the minor Mediterranean powers and Russia should not disturb balance of naval power in Mediterranean, Italy would be disposed to reconsider her decision and to agree to attend Conference. I understand that the Ambassador is being instructed to explain this suggestion also.