Office of the Historian

500.A19/102: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Italy (Phillips)

Washington, May 27, 1937—7 p.m.

92. Your 244, May 25, noon. Upon being questioned in press conference yesterday with regard to Mussolini’s interview with Simms I made the statement which you will find in Radio Bulletin No. 122, May 26, 1937.20

The Italian Ambassador came in later in the day to call my attention to the interview and to inform me of its authenticity. I took occasion to state that I considered Mr. Mussolini’s expressions highly important and encouraging and told the Ambassador that we here were giving them every consideration. I told the Ambassador we were also very pleased that more and more of the important statesmen of Europe were expressing themselves in support of more liberal trade programs. We have taken the position of being receptive and cordial toward the expressed hope of the Italian Chief of Government that arms limitation and revival of normal and healthy economic production be resumed.

I have thought it well thus to give you a picture of the manner in which this interview had been received by us here as some of the Washington despatches published since have unfortunately given the impression that we were not receptive to the suggestions in the interview which is not a correct reporting of the way we received it.

You may wish to correct any erroneous impressions which the Italian Government might have received, and I would suggest, if you so approve, you take occasion once more to state that we would welcome further expressions by leading Italian officials endorsing and supporting the principles of the broad program for liberalization of international trade which we are so anxious to see adopted throughout the world.

Welles
  1. In his statement, which was carried in the press, the Acting Secretary said that he had read the report with great interest but, since it was not an official message in any sense, no official comment was possible. He said further that any indication that the head of another government is favorably disposed toward the idea of averting or arresting the present rearmament race is a matter which would have to be regarded very favorably by any government such as the United States which is interested in world peace.↩