Office of the Historian

740.0011 EW (Peace)/7–2347: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy (Dunn) to the Secretary of State

secret
urgent
Rome, July 23, 1947—11 a. m.

2042. Secretary General of Foreign Office1 sent word to me late last night that the Government’s formula re ratification of treaty (see my 2018, July 212) had been defeated in Interparliamentary Committee. [Page 556] This unexpected development was attributed to sudden violent reversal of Communists. In discussions among party leaders Togliatti was said to have accused the Government of being “American”. Nenni as usual followed Communist lead … As was to be expected, the extreme Right faced by the action of the Left had become panic-stricken by prospect of facing elections outdone by the Left on a nationalist issue. Accordingly, all the Qualunquists3 and most of the Liberals were now opposed to any government action at present time towards even provisional ratification of treaty. Corbin4 himself was said to have spoken most harshly against Government’s proposal and to have urged postponement.

According to our informant, the Prime Minister (whom I shall see later today) was still determined to press for adoption of his resolution despite a considerable defection in his own party led by Gronchi5 apparently under the influence of Don Sturzo.6 It remains to be seen whether after his conversations with the leaders today, he will continue on this course (the debate in this Assembly has been postponed to Thursday).7

I reiterated our position authorized in Department’s 1137, July 15 and it rests entirely with Prime Minister whether he chooses to risk the continuance of his government in office by demanding a vote. It is, of course, most unfortunate that due to the Soviet tactics of delay, the extreme Left have been able to maneuver themselves into taking the initiative as protectors of Italy against premature acceptance of the treaty which all Italians believe unjust and onerous.

Dunn
  1. Francesco Fransoni.↩
  2. Not printed.↩
  3. The followers of Guglielmo Giannini whose organ was Uomo Qualunque (The Common Man).↩
  4. Professor Epicarmo Corbino, Deputy in the Constituent Assembly, Minister of the Treasury in the first and second De Gasperi Cabinets (until September 18, 1946).↩
  5. Giovanni Gronchi, a leader of the Christian Democratic Party.↩
  6. Don Luigi Sturzo, a Sicilian priest, one of the founders of the Partito Popolare in 1919.↩
  7. In telegram No. 2065, July 23, from Rome, not printed, Ambassador Dunn reported that De Gasperi had told him and Mr. Clayton that he expected on the morrow (July 24) to go forward with the discussion of ratification of the treaty (740.0011 EW (Peace)/7–2347).↩