852.00/6427: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Bucknell) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 10—9:20 p.m.]
278. My 277, September 10, 11 p.m.
1. I learn from a delegate who was present that in the private session of the Mediterranean Conference this afternoon the following took place:
The British proposal to keep Germany and Italy informed was agreed to without discussion and the Russian suggestion that Spain be invited to attend was not brought up. The Franco-British plan for establishing patrol zones in the Mediterranean was accepted as a basis for discussion. Under this plan France and Great Britain would patrol the Mediterranean west of Malta. An adjoining zone east of Malta would be offered to Italy and the patrolling of the remainder of the eastern Mediterranean would be divided among the other powers attending the conference including Russia. No provision was made for the participation of Germany in the patrol.
The plan provides that shipping would be notified to keep within lanes which presumably will be defined by the naval experts present and all signatories would agree to exclude their submarines therefrom (except upon giving advance notice and remaining upon the surface). Effective action to protect shipping in these lanes from further illegal attacks is envisaged, but it appears to raise certain [Page 396] legal difficulties which are being examined by experts. All decisions in the meeting were made subject to the approval of the respective governments. It was assumed throughout the discussions that Italy would participate in the patrol.
2. The same source states that the French and British Ambassadors in Berlin and Rome today (a) expressed the regret of their Governments that Germany and Italy were unable to attend the conference; (b) stated that the question was of such immediate importance that they could not delay in dealing with it, and (c) said that it was considered impracticable to deal with the present Mediterranean situation in the Non-intervention Committee.
3. I learn from a press source that the French and British state that if Italy should refuse to participate, Britain and France will patrol the zone offered to Italy. The British are pushing the Conference in the hope of finishing on Monday.