Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume IV

740.00119 Control (Italy)/12–1145: Telegram

Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, to the Secretary of State

Caserta, December 11, 1945—7 p.m.
[Received 8:36 p.m.]

4235. Re our 4231, December 11, 3 p.m. After SAC’s (Supreme Allied Commander) meeting Broad received copy of telegram from Foreign Office to Halifax sent December 10 informing him that Foreign Office had advised British Chiefs of Staff instruct Joint Staff Mission to seek US concurrence to despatch of instructions to SACMED (Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean) that last eight words of paragraph 3b in Fan 634 should be omitted.

Resident Minister also received after meeting copy of telegram from British COS to Joint Staff Mission, Washington sent December 10 in which Joint Staff Mission has requested to seek US Joint Chiefs of Staff concurrence in instructions to SACMED along following lines:

1. Italian Govt should be informed that withdrawal of Allied Troops from Franco Italian frontier area is without prejudice to final settlement of frontier.

2. At time transfer is authorized of territory in question to Italian Govt administration, US communication to Italian Govt and public statement should be framed so as to make clear that withdrawal of AMG involves no prejudice to French final claims in Northwest anymore than to Austrian claims in Bolzano.

3. Even after present argument with French is finished, SACMED should continue to keep Italian troops excepting Carabinieri as far as possible out of areas which French actually claim. SACMED intervention would be covered by directive in Fan 487⁶⁰ as Allied Commissioner.

4. Instructions to SACMED should not be sent until Foreign Office and State Dept have had opportunity to inform French.

At Broad’s request SAC suspended Admiral Stone’s instructions to proceed as indicated in our 4231 under reference and held further conference late this afternoon at which it was decided that Stone will be directed to proceed tomorrow afternoon in accordance with instructions given him this morning. He will be directed at his discretion to request Italian Govt to withhold publication regarding his interview until Thursday morning (December 13) papers. Broad stated Foreign Office would want time to convey to French substance Admiral Stone’s informal warning to De Gasperi. Admiral Stone will also be instructed not to inform De Gasperi specifically with regard to wording of paragraph 3b in Fan 634.

Sent Secretary State; repeated to Rome as 51.

Kirk

60. Not printed, but see aide-mémoire of February 24, 1945, from the Acting President of the Allied Commission to the Italian Government, p. 1244. This aide-mémoire was based on Fan 487.