Office of the Historian

762.65/99: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy (Long) to the Secretary of State

Rome, June 9, 1934—7 p.m.
[Received June 9—6:11 p.m.]

112. My telegram No. 111, June 7 [8], 3 [1] p.m.20 Suvich informs me that Mussolini will meet Hitler at Venice on June 14th and 15th. He adds that as no public announcement will be made until the last moment this information should be regarded as secret.

From another source I understand but am unable definitely to confirm that Barthou will come to Italy directly after Hitler’s visit. Apparently Mussolini is attempting over the head of the Disarmament Conference to force an agreement between France and Germany as a prerequisite to a more general plan which will probably be in the nature of an agreement limiting armaments to the status quo.

First paragraph repeated to Berlin, second paragraph repeated to Paris.

Long
  1. Not printed.↩