865.4016/146: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 27—8:40 a.m.]
66. Your 14, February 18, 3 p.m. I have been unable to secure an audience with Mussolini for Myron Taylor who has returned to Florence.
It is possible that Mussolini may be intending to postpone the provision set for March 12 with regard to the forced departure of foreigners of Jewish extraction until a later date and that his refusal to receive Taylor was in order not to give the impression of taking such action under pressure. Mr. Taylor agrees that in the circumstances it will be best to avoid all publicity and to do nothing further until perhaps March 7th or 8th when, if you see no objection, you might instruct me to seek an interview with Ciano49 with a view to having the time limit extended.
- Galeazzo Ciano, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩