865.014/5–3045: Telegram
Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, United States Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:35 p.m.]
2403. SAC98 told us this morning that he had received an inquiry from Churchill as to his views on what should be disposition of Ital Empire from military point of view in connection with negotiations for peace treaty with Itals. SAC said he had informed Churchill that he thought the Allies should not be too hard on Italy and should permit Itals to retain at least Tripoli, Eritrea and possibly also Ital Somaliland. He asserted that he had expressed this opinion to Churchill very strongly and hoped such an attitude would be adopted by the latter. SAC said he hoped US Govt would also support his views inasmuch as “we cannot afford to keep the Itals down too much and thus leave them no alternative but to go Red”.
- Supreme Allied Commander.↩