740.00/1350: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 5—3:40 p.m.]
174. My 146, April 20, 6 p.m.63 During a conversation with Ciano this afternoon I asked whether Mussolini’s Campidoglio speech was his reply to the President’s message. Ciano said that it was in fact the reply although he indicated the possibility that Mussolini might reach another decision in this respect at a later date, but his reservation seemed to me somewhat vague.
Ciano referred to the fact that the policy of the Italian Government was dedicated to “peace”; to more than peace, he added, to “tranquillity”, to which he thought Italy was entitled after several years of warfare. I said I was delighted to have this reassuring statement and that I hoped he might find an opportunity on Saturday during his conversations with Ribbentrop to advance these ideals. Ciano did not indicate the reasons for his meeting with Ribbentrop other than to say that they would naturally discuss many different subjects of mutual interest.
In reply to my inquiry as to whether the Italian Government had in fact taken any steps in Berlin or in Warsaw towards a peaceful solution of the German-Polish controversy Ciano replied that it was difficult for the Italian Government to take any such action without having been invited to do so. On the other hand he stood ready whenever the opportunity presented itself to do everything he could in this connection and he emphasized again that the future policy of Italy was directed towards peace.
- Not printed.↩