865.01/2630: Telegram
The Consul General at Naples (Brandt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:28 p.m.]
174. From Kirk. See my 172, June 12, noon. Acting under instructions received today by High Commissioner from Foreign Office General MacFarlane today in Salerno informed Bonomi and Badoglio who apparently are on very friendly terms with each other that Allied Governments were considering question of accepting proposed Bonomi government and that until a decision had been reached Bonomi and his government could not take office and that Badoglio government would continue to function in meantime in accordance with directive from Lieutenant General of Realm.
MacFarlane again impressed on Bonomi that if his government were accepted by Allies it would have to assume all the Badoglio government obligations towards Allies, the long armistice terms included and Bonomi again assured MacFarlane of his government’s readiness to assume all and any such obligations without question.
Should any public curiosity develop over Bonomi’s delay in taking office Bonomi and Badoglio who were anxious to avoid publishing fact that delay was due to Allied Governments, agreed to give some organizational [Page 1129] reason if necessary. MacFarlane today requested approval of SAC on this point.
MacFarlane reports he also explained situation to Crown Prince in Naples today who made no comment but asked what Allies’ decision might be and that his reply was noncommittal.
Sent Department. Repeated to Algiers. [Kirk.]