865.01/1021: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé at Algiers (Chapin)
416. For Reinhardt. Reference your 382, February 6, 8 p.m.43 Department concurs in your recommendation that you refrain from taking Sforza into your confidence at the present time with respect to contents of the Department’s telegram no. 248, January 25, 4 p.m. However, it is still of the opinion that you should inform your French colleague on the Advisory Council of this Government’s attitude with respect to Victor Emmanuel and the reconstitution of the Italian Government. As you have pointed out, the Advisory Council would appear to be the appropriate place for discussion and exchange of views, on this important question. You have already informed your British colleague and it would appear desirable and even necessary that your French colleague be informed of our position without further delay. In your experience on the Advisory Council your British and French colleagues have on several occasions been in open agreement on recommendations formally introduced in which you were not in a position to concur. In this instance it would not appear necessary to postpone discussion among Council members until our own and the British view are reconciled particularly since delay favors the British position.
We agree that it is desirable to obtain a coordinated opinion of the Advisory Council on these questions before making them known to the Italians.
- Not printed.↩