865.01/662: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Algiers (Wiley)
Washington, November
9, 1943—10 p.m.
2101. For Murphy. We have followed with interest events reported in your 1881, November 1, and 1891 and 1898, November 2,98 concerning the Italian constitutional crisis. Several questions have occurred to us which you have no doubt already seriously considered.
- 1.
- The physical problem of the Prince of Naples in Switzerland. Is there a likelihood that his absence from Italian territory will cast serious doubt on the legitimacy of his secession [succession?] and his acceptability as a sovereign?
- 2.
- Constitutional objection to Marshal Badoglio as a regent. To overcome the constitutional difficulties, a regency council, including some member of the royal family in free Italy such as the present Duke of Aosta or Queen Elena, might be formed. Or, since the “Statuto” [Page 423] was given by a Savoy King to the Italian people, could not the present King amend it in the necessary manner and appoint Badoglio as regent?
- 3.
- With a rival government in the north of Italy, is it not to our best interest that the Italian Government, cooperating with us, preserve intact for the present its constitutional and legitimate character? If so, it would seem desirable to deviate as little as possible from constitutional procedure to the possible propaganda advantage of the so-called Republican-Fascist Government.
Your 1918, November 4, midnight. Your plan in event of King failing to form government and refusing to abdicate is approved. The above suggestions or questions are not put with any idea of limiting your freedom of action or changing your present course of action.
Stettinius
- Telegram No. 1898 not printed.↩