865.01/733: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Algiers (Wiley)

2204. For Murphy from Berle. With reference to my immediately preceding telegram,9 there is quoted below the text of the message referred to:

“I have read with extreme interest the statement of Marshal Badoglio issued on September 16, 1943 unequivocally stating that he considers the defeat of the Germans and their expulsion from Italy to be his primary duty, and urging all Italians to join in this struggle.

In my view, it now becomes the paramount duty of all Italians irrespective of party or political differences to support and assist in the struggle to crush the German arms and to drive every German soldier from Italian soil.

So long as Marshal Badoglio is engaged in that task and is acceptable to the Allies in devoting the Italian military and material resources to that struggle, I consider it criminal to do anything to weaken his position or hamper his work in fighting for the liberation of Italy and the Italian people. I am prepared to offer my full support so long as he is thus engaged all the more because this is the only way to destroy the last criminal remnants of Fascism.

Matters of internal Italian politics can and should be adjourned for the period of the struggle, and the activities military and political of all Italians who seek the freedom and future of their Fatherland should be devoted to supporting the organized forces which are endeavoring to overthrow the common enemy. I pledge my honor to do this myself, and urge this course on my many friends and associates.”

[Berle]
Hull
  1. Supra.