763.72119/2634: Telegram

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

2346. In connection with claims allied countries at approaching peace conference, a revival has been discussed in Italian newspaper [Page 186] of Mazzini’s idea regarding territorial expansion of Switzerland. Paper states that inhabitants of part of Alsace-Lorraine and part of Tyrol may wish to become Swiss, and in quotation from Swiss papers, it is stated that the Tyrolese Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein would prefer unite with Switzerland rather than Germany. It is not known whether such a solution of Tyrolese problem would please Italy, but some think it might as it would enlarge buffer between Italian Trentino and Germany. From what I hear of Swiss attitude towards such enlargement, Switzerland may be behind above-mentioned suggestion. I know that she is looking forward hopefully to extending her confines.

Nelson Page