701.6511/1299a: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle)

527. American interests—Germany, Department’s 485, February 19.25 American interests—Italy, Department’s 494, February 20. Please request the Swiss Government to inform the Italian and German Governments that the recalcitrant attitude referred to in paragraph 2 of the Department’s telegram under reference now appears to be due to orders received from the Italian Government. In any case, the Department is definitely informed that the similar attitude of the Italian officials in Bolivia is due to instructions which they have received. In this connection, it should be pointed out that the Department is prepared to proceed immediately with the exchange upon the arrival of the officials from the other American Republics (other than Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay) which have broken relations with Italy but that obviously the exchange of officials which has been agreed upon in principle cannot be carried out until these officials have reached this country.

Welles
  1. See footnote 24, p. 312.