Office of the Historian

865.01/9–2544: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics Except Argentina

Washington, September 25, 1944—5 p.m.

On receipt of specific instructions by separate cable please see the Foreign Minister immediately and convey to him confidentially the information contained in the following numbered paragraphs.

1.
This Government has come to the conclusion that, in view of the demonstrated will of the Italian people to fight for their own freedom and for the principles of the United Nations, it is desirable at this time to encourage Italians who are participating in the destruction of Fascism and in the political rebirth of their country by extending to them a larger opportunity to help defeat our common enemies.
2.
Toward this end increasing control will gradually be given to the Italian administration, and the Italian Government will be permitted to send representatives to Washington. It is our understanding that the British Government will also invite the Italian Government to send representatives to London.
3.
This Government is also giving serious consideration at this time to the desirability of establishing full diplomatic relations with the present Italian Government. It believes that such a step would be of material aid in the successful conclusion of the war in Europe and the reestablishment of democratic government. In accordance with Article I of the Resolutions of the Third Meeting of Foreign Ministers at Rio de Janeiro,99 this Government wishes to consult with all those American republics which broke diplomatic relations with the Fascist Government of Italy to obtain their views on that subject.

Please obtain from the Foreign Minister as soon as possible a statement of the opinion of the government to which you are accredited concerning the resumption of diplomatic relations with Italy and cable the Department. For your confidential information a public statement of the desire of this Government to adopt a more favorable attitude toward the Italian Government, including the invitation to the Italian Government to send direct representatives to Washington, is now under consideration for release within the next few days.

It is emphasized that you are to take no action concerning the above until instructed by a following cable.

Hull
  1. See the Final Act, Resolution I, especially section IV, Department of State Bulletin, February 7, 1942, p. 117.↩