760C.62/858: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:30 p.m.]
316. My No. 315, August 17, 11 a.m.35 Ciano had an informal talk at the beach yesterday with Soviet Chargé d’Affaires whom he had promised to see upon his return from Salzburg. He intimated that he was taking this informal opportunity to fulfill his promise as he was refusing for the moment to see other chiefs of mission because he “could not tell the truth” about the Salzburg meeting and “would not lie”. He could, however, tell Helfand the following. He had left for Salzburg in an optimistic frame of mind and had returned pessimistic. In his conversations with Ribbentrop they had reviewed the international scene in general but during his two talks with Hitler latter had harped upon Danzig theme to exclusion of everything else. Hitler had been emphatic that Danzig question must be solved in very near future and gave the impression that he considered his prestige and that of the regime involved in the matter. To Ciano’s surprise Hitler repeated to him in all seriousness the “Polish atrocity” stories that have been flooding the German press. Besides the two formal meetings Ciano went for a long walk with Hitler when as before Danzig was the main topic of conversation. As a result Ciano felt that unless direct conversations were opened between Germany and Poland seeking a solution compatible with dignity and prestige of both parties Hitler was likely to attempt a coup. Ciano thought that this could be accomplished without war in such a manner as to leave Poland faced with making the decision to attack Germany—a risk which Poland would not take. Furthermore Ciano said that Ribbentrop was keeping almost as much to himself these days as Hitler and he could not imagine how former kept himself in touch with reactions of other countries. Soviet Chargé is under impression that Ciano is considerably disquieted by his Salzburg experience and finds himself in an embarrassing position at the moment.
Ciano remarked to Chargé that he would make an exception in my case as well since he had also promised to receive me on his return from Salzburg. Ciano informed me today that he would communicate with me tomorrow.36 He leaves for Albania on Saturday. Although no more precise information is obtainable here as yet with regard to [Page 222] the Salzburg meeting Ciano’s very definite determination to avoid receiving chiefs of mission confirms my belief that Europe is now approaching a very critical situation.