863.51 Relief Credits/245: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 21—9:55 a.m.]
50. My telegram No. 40 [41?] June 3, 3 [5?] p.m. Following is translation of urgent note verbale, dated June 20th, received today from Foreign Office with request that contents be cabled to the Department:
“With reference to note verbale No. 199 of April 19th of the American Embassy the Minister of Foreign Affairs learns that the Government of the United States of America has interpreted the consent given by Italy in its note verbale of May 20th, last, No. 217089–34 as an adherence which is not absolute and unconditional as regards the attitude of the Royal Government concerning the subordination of the liens and the acceptance of the guarantees (garenzie) proposed by Austria for the issuance of the new loan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the honor therefore to assure the American Embassy that by its above-mentioned note verbale of May 20th, last, the Royal Government had in fact intended to act unconditionally to the communication made by the chairman of the International Relief Bond Committee and to the request of the American Embassy with a view to facilitating the conclusion of the loan without in any way intending to prejudice the replies of the other Governments.”
As meaning of phrase beginning “without in any way intending, et cetera” was doubtful I made an oral inquiry at the Foreign Office and was told that this phrase was intended merely to make it clear that the Italian adherence was not contingent upon the replies of the other Governments.
[Paraphrase.] I have been told by Austrian Minister here in Rome that the note verbale, dated June 20, was sent as a result of conversations held recently with officials of the Italian Foreign Office in which the Minister called attention to certain inaccuracies which he states were contained in the note of May 20. He believes these inaccuracies were based on misunderstandings between the Ministry of Finance and the Foreign Office. The hope has also been expressed by the Austrian Minister that the explanations contained in this last note may be cabled immediately to London where the Austrian Minister of Finance is arriving to confer regarding the Austrian loan. I have told him that I would send the Department information to that effect. [End paraphrase.]