763.72/12355: Telegram

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

2407. The Foreign Office informs me that it has telegraphed Italian Embassy, Washington, urging that American troops in Italy and Fiume and Cattaro be not withdrawn. It requests me to support this, stating that such withdrawal would have bad political effect upon Jugoslav situation from Italian standpoint.

I feel that the matter demands most serious consideration as I believe that our presence there will have great effect in preventing clashes and their removal will have opposite effect.

Nelson Page