865.01/756a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Algiers (Wiley)
2201. For Murphy from Berle. Please acknowledge Count Sforza’s letter of November 6 and convey to him my interest in and appreciation of his report. The following is my answer:
“Through the courtesy of our mission at Algiers, I have the text of a letter which you were kind enough to address both to Mr. Anthony Eden and myself on or about the 6th of November. The press here had likewise reported your attitude as in much the same sense as that conveyed in your letter.
Clearly, the positions you take must be guided, as they undoubtedly are, by your own devotion to the best interests of Italy and the Italian people. The highest interest at the moment must be the expulsion of the German invader from the soil of Italy and his complete defeat; and the mobilization, to this end, of the maximum resources which the liberated part of Italy can devote to that cause. I am very sure that this is the ruling consideration in the minds of the statesmen of the United Nations.
It would seem, here, that Italian affairs were in process of rapid political evolution and that, while assisting in securing expression of Italian public opinion which will make it possible for the political developments in Italy to be responsive to the popular will, you should support fully the Italian military effort and Marshal Badoglio as its responsible head. For the time being the temporary sub-cabinet seems to be the only solution presently available, in view of the deadlock, and I am sure you will create no difficulties for Badoglio during the interim period for which that sub-cabinet was set up.”
There is quoted in my immediately following telegram8 the text of Sforza’s message to Badoglio which he asked me to deliver through AFHQ on September 23 and which was sent through War Department facilities at that time. This should be given to General Joyce for such use as he may wish to make of it, if he is not already in possession of the text. [Berle.]
- Infra.↩