852.00/8040: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:45 p.m.]
134. I am informed by the British Ambassador that he recently received instructions to call upon Count Ciano to express the unfortunate effect which the promiscuous bombing of unfortified towns and civilian populations as well as of British merchant vessels is having upon the British Government and public and that he had requested Count Ciano to do everything he could to prevent a repetition of this aerial method of warfare. Count Ciano had replied that these were [Page 209] acts directed by Franco’s military advisers and that the Italians were not responsible for them. While Ciano did not admit that he could do much in this respect the British Ambassador received the impression that Ciano would use his influence with General Franco.
According to Perth, Ciano then told him that Mussolini was most anxious that the Italo-British accords should be brought into effect without further delay since the Italians were doing now even more than had been required by the agreements; for example more men had been withdrawn from Libya than required, all propaganda in Palestine had ceased and the Italians had done everything to assist the British in the Non-intervention Committee and he asked to have Mr. Chamberlain so advised.
Perth told me that he hoped for an early decision from his Government since he felt that too long a delay might be unfortunate inasmuch as it was most important for Great Britain to retain the good will of Italy in the present European situation. He mentioned in this connection the restraining influence which he was confident Italy had exerted on Germany in the Czechoslovak aggressions. He had never been informed of results of his earlier representations in this respect (see Embassy’s telegram No. 124, May 28, 6 p.m.69) but Ciano had now assured him positively that there was no international danger in the Czechoslovak situation at present and had indicated that Italy was closely in touch with the situation.
I have also been informed that simultaneous with this action on the part of Lord Perth both the British and French Governments have approached the Vatican and have received the reply that the Vatican had been constantly exercising its influence upon Franco to prevent indiscriminate aerial bombardments. It wished, however, to keep its representations confidential as it did not desire to become associated with action taken by any other governments in this respect.
- Not printed.↩