852.00/6467: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15—7:54 a.m.]
411. Embassy’s telegram 409, September 14, 1 p.m.59 Italian note concerning the Anglo-French proposal for naval surveillance in the Mediterranean was handed to the British and French Chargés d’Affaires last night. According to the official communiqué published this morning, the note states that because the proposal allots only the Tyrrhenian Sea to Italy, the remainder of the Mediterranean being under the control of the British and French fleets, it is unacceptable to Italy whose vital interests require that it have conditions of absolute parity with any other power in any zone whatsoever of the Mediterranean. The communiqué adds that the note was sent after agreement with the German Government.
While the note is brief and makes no alternative suggestion of any method of dealing with the problem, the impression is obtained here that its terms are intended to leave a way open for subsequent discussions at the London Non-intervention Committee provided they would envisage a wider zone for Italian control. Since Italian prestige is [Page 400] now directly involved it also seems clear that any further effort to delegate police powers to other fleets in the Mediterranean without Italian participation would be deeply resented.
All newspaper comment stresses the importance of Italy’s position in the Mediterranean and the impossibility of accepting any proposals incompatible with its prestige in this area.
- Not printed.↩