Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume IV

740.00119 Control (Italy)/9–2245: Telegram

Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, to the Acting Secretary of State

Caserta, September 22, 1945—midnight.
[Received September 24—9:42 a.m.]

3670. At JPS (Joint Planning Staff) meeting, AFHQ (Allied Force Headquarters), for discussion of British draft (reference our 3654 and 3655 of September 20)⁵⁹ of military and civil affairs agreement which CoS (Chief of Staff) insisted should be discussed on Allied basis, we stated that while we had no instructions whatsoever from Department and could, therefore, speak only personally as to our impressions, we would if so desired offer comments.

With reference to paragraph 18 of British draft⁶⁰ we stated that in our opinion announced policy of US Govt was to assist in the economic rehabilitation of Italy and that the clauses in this paragraph run directly counter to that objective. American officers present concurred in this opinion. British representatives who were present expressed view that while paragraph 18 might represent policy of British Govt, it was their opinion that the effect of these clauses would be contrast to economic rehabilitation of Italy. We expressed, also in purely personal capacity, our view that Dept would not concur in policy such as outlined in last sentence of paragraph 20 which provides that any dispute arising as to interpretations of agreement would be settled by British High Command after consultation with competent Italian authority since it seemed to us that Italy as sovereign country would have inalienable right to bring up these matters through diplomatic channels. We abstained from any comment on purely technical military portions of draft except wherever possible to urge language be softened in order to make document more palatable to Italian people. In particular we urged such minor changes as phrase in the parenthesis at end of paragraph 2 “notifying such sanctions to Italian authorities” and placing in its stead “for implementing the above”.

We discussed British draft with Field Marshal Alexander and Admiral Stone. Admiral Stone expressed surprise at severity for [of?] British draft and, stated that he did not believe that any Italian Govt could accept such an agreement. In addition to article 18 he shared our apprehension that articles 3 and 4 of Part III⁶¹ were too broad in scope and should be clarified. We stated to SAC (Supreme Allied Commander) that we did not consider the British draft a reasonable one and requested his views. He stated that because of his absence from AFHQ (Allied Force Headquarters) he had not yet had an opportunity to read the document carefully but would do so at once and would discuss it with us.

Late this afternoon Alexander sent for us and stated that he shared our apprehension and added that he would inform British War Office that the proposed agreement was much too harsh and should be toned down. He felt particularly strongly about article 18. In the meantime we had seen through an American officer at AFHQ (Allied Force Headquarters) a letter dated September 13 from General Spofford in the War Department to General Hamblen, head of G–5 section⁶² AFHQ (Allied Force Headquarters) transmitting copy of proposed draft of American military and civil affairs agreement⁶³ which is, as Department is aware, much more liberal than British draft. We therefore took liberty of informing Supreme Allied Commander that we felt quite certain American draft would be a more favorable one and hoped that Supreme Allied Commander would expedite his reply to British War Office in sense which he had outlined to us. Supreme Allied Commander states that just as soon as we had full information on contents of American draft agreement, he hoped we would communicate with him with view to sitting down and working out British and American agreements which would be more or less similar in terms and conditions. Alexander then said that information reaching him from London caused him to believe it might be some time before a treaty of peace could be completed with Italy. He added that as we knew he had directed that revised armistice terms should be prepared at AFHQ (Allied Force Headquarters) and that matter was now before JPS (Joint Planning Staff) on which this office is represented He inquired whether we had learned during our visit to London if there was any prospect of his being requested in near future to submit revised armistice terms which might serve as modus vivendi pending conclusion of Italian peace treaty. We stated we understood matter was being discussed but that we had not yet received any specific information as to when he might expect to receive such a directive.

In this connection SAC (Supreme Allied Commander) reminded us he would be relinquishing his duties October first and hoped that such action might take place before that date.

Repeated to London as 226 for Dunn.

Kirk

59. Neither printed; telegram 3655 embodied text of British draft.
60. Paragraph 18 stated: “The Italian Govt will provide free of charge local supplies and services required for the British forces in Italy under this agreement. The Italian Govt will also provide free of charge such Italian currency as British forces may require for their necessary expenditure in Italy including purposes already mentioned in this agreement. The Italian Govt will also provide free of charge supplies and services (and also if necessary Italian currency) required in Italy by competent harbor authorities for His Majesty’s ships and vessels owned and chartered by Ministry War Transport calling at Italian ports on military service during period of this agreement.” (740.00119 Control (Italy)/9–2045)

61. These articles read thus:

    “Three. The Italian Government also agree if the British High Command so requires special airfield alighting areas, their facility in Italy may be designated for exclusive use of British forces. Such areas will remain under Italian civil administration but British High Command shall have right to police the areas and to control operations of facilities as necessary therein.

    “Four. The British Air Force may participate in any organization that Italian authorities may set up in air traffic control of aircraft flying over Italian territory.” (740.00119 Control Italy/9–2045)

62. Headquarters general staff division dealing with civil affairs.
63. For summary of American Draft Agreement contained in telegram 1983, July 15, 1945, from Rome, see (Conference of Berlin, (Potsdam), vol. i, p. 701.