500.A15Franco–British/51: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Fletcher) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:50 p.m.]
92. Department’s No. 104, September 14, 1 p.m. I was told by Under Secretary Grandi this morning at the Foreign Office in an informal talk that Italy had not replied concerning the naval agreement to either France or Great Britain. The opinion of the Government here seems to be that public opinion is forming against the naval understanding in various countries and that for the time being no reply is necessary. I am informed by Grandi that de Martino has been instructed to talk the matter over with you informally. He suggests that it would be desirable for our two Governments to have an informal exchange of impressions.
I was informed by Grandi that the political significance of England and France coming to this agreement without the knowledge of Italy was more important to Italy than the technical side of the agreement. Furthermore he stated that while France had denied that secret arrangements existed regarding land forces, London having tried to [Page 281] minimize their importance had seemed to tacitly acknowledge that some understanding on this subject between England and France had been reached.
Italy, according to the impression I gathered, fears that the naval understanding marks a change in the policy of Great Britain which will make her relations with Italy less close and less favorable than those with France.
The agreement was not discussed from the technical standpoint, but Grandi assured me of his willingness for further discussion at any time of this subject and of his desire to facilitate between our Governments an exchange of views concerning the agreement.