852.00/6411: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 9—2:14 p.m.]
406. Embassy’s 404, September 8, 1 p.m. The Italian reply to the Franco-British invitation, the text of which is published this afternoon, states that the arbitrary Soviet accusation of Italy has introduced a new and grave factor into the situation and made it impossible for Italy to carry out her original intention of agreeing to attend the conference. At the same time the Italian Government, determined to [Page 392] neglect nothing which may help to remedy the present situation in which it is directly and vitally concerned, has reached the conclusion that in view of the number of powers invited and the nature of the conference the questions to be discussed might adequately be examined by the already existing London Committee whose experience fits it to handle the matters indicated in the British and French notes. Such procedure would also have the advantage of leaving out none of the powers directly interested, particularly Poland and Portugal. The Italian Government is disposed to continue its activity within the Committee and is ready in agreement with the German Government to give its representative on the Committee all necessary instructions.