865.00/10–1746: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Key) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 18—10:07 a.m.]
4034. Remytel 4031.86 In conversation with me De Gasperi also discussed riot of October 9 and expressed same opinion as had Facchinetti87 (remytel 3989, October 1088) that similar disturbances likely to recur. De Gasperi was preoccupied with conduct of police who he thought could have handled crowd with fewer casualties if it were better trained in modern police techniques. He felt Allied police mission in Italy to revamp and retrain Italian force would be most desirable but I gathered he is still apprehensive over Communist opposition to any mission excluding Russians (remytel 3977, October 889).
Recent disturbances in Sicily culminated in reportedly serious outbreak October 10–11 food shortages understood be basic factor.
Council of Ministers’ preoccupation with problem of public order reflected in decision to replace Questori at Rome and Palermo and appointment Giovanni Selvaggi member Republican Party new High Commissioner for Sicily. Council has also ordered investigation into police action in Rome October 9 and into operations of Govt depts and problem of migrations of unemployed to Rome and conditions at Cinecitta refugee camp. In addition Govt has sought to increase arms and mobile armament of civil police but Admiral Stone has informed De Gasperi SACMED cannot authorize reorganization and rearmament until question whether civil police would thus constitute part of armed forces and violate armistice and peace treaty ceilings is investigated.
It is becoming increasingly clear that problem of public order while arising basically from economic causes is aggravated by large floating population including refugees (see especially mytel 3994, October 11 and despatch 4153, October 1190) and by ill trained and ill equipped [Page 941] police. Leaving basic cause aside, I believe we should take most seriously Italian Govt’s desire work out joint plans for refugee dispersal and hope I may soon receive Dept’s views for communication to the Italians. On political mission I do [not?] feel we should attempt to force any such group on Italians but the need is obvious and if De Gasperi can evolve political formula acceptable in Italy for request in one [requesting one?], I hope we as well as British would promptly accede and provide expert personnel. The alternatives appear to be increasing disorders from which Communists stand to profit the most.
Repeated Caserta 1060.
[On October 31, 1946, under provisions of the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946 (approved March 8, 1946; 60 Stat. 9683), the United States Maritime Commission signed in Washington a contract with Cesare Sacerdoti, Head of the Italian Technical Delegation, for the sale of 40 Liberty vessels, with 10 additional vessels to be sold later. Immediately after purchasing a ship, the Italian Government was to resell it to one of several Italian shipping firms, which collectively sent a mission to the United States to assist in selecting the vessels to be bought. Records relating to this transaction are filed under 195.2 and 865.85 of the Department of State and under “Application No. 2155: Italian Government” and “Contracts 2155” in the records of the United States Maritime Commission. Additional ships were sold to the Italian Government in 1947.]
- Not printed; in this telegram Key reported a conversation in which De Gasperi discussed his intention of turning the Foreign Ministry over to Nenni, who would, however, consult De Gasperi on all important matters (865.00/10–1746).↩
- Cipriano Facchinetti, Minister of War in the second De Gasperi Cabinet, July 13, 1946–January 28, 1947.↩
- Not printed; it reported Facchinetti’s view that the rioting was serious, that it would prove to be the precursor of further disturbances, and that the Leftist parties, the Communists particularly, were at the bottom of the trouble (865.00/10–1046).↩
- Not printed; in it Key reported that De Gasperi personally would welcome an Anglo-American police mission, yet for political reasons could not exclude the Russians, and would not have such a mission as that to which the Communists would agree (865.105/10–846).↩
- Neither printed.↩