865.01/733: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 17—6:37 a.m.]
2010. [From Murphy.] Joyce telegraphs from Brindisi that according to information obtained indirectly it is clear that the Naples politicians do not accept Badoglio’s provisional government of technicians until Rome. They unanimously insist “on the immediate formation of a political government and the elimination of all hindrances now obstructing this”. By hindrances they say that they mean the presence of the King whose immediate abdication they demand. According to Croce “the thesis that the Allies should uphold Victor Emmanuel because they found him reigning when the armistice was signed is untenable”.
Joyce adds that he has not been able to check whether this is Sforza’s determined attitude, but suggests that if it is there would be a question whether the Allied Governments would not wish to take advantage of the opportunity presented by Sforza’s letters to Eden and Berle7 in order to influence him in any replies that may be made. It is Joyce’s [Page 429] opinion that Sforza derives most of his strength in Italy by furthering the impression that he is in the confidence of the American and British Governments.
Your comment would be appreciated.
Sent Department, repeated to London. [Murphy.]