Doc. No. 1 bis (M).
Proposals of Amendment to the Military Clauses*
Article 39—Reason for proposal:
The necessity to fix a time-limit for the eventual revision of the military clauses in view of the consequences they may bring to bear especially in regard to the construction of new weapons and naval vessels.
Amendment proposed:
After the words: “by agreement between the Allied and Associated Powers and Italy” add “or until Italy becomes a member of the United Nations. In any case they are subject to revision along the lines set down by the United Nations, with in a time limit of two years from the entry into force of the present Treaty.”
Or:
maintain the present text, adding the following phrase:
“In any case they will be subject to revision, along the lines set down by the United Nations, with in a time limit of two years from the entry into force of the present Treaty.”
Article 40—Reason for proposal:
To grant Italy a minimum possibility of defence on her sea and land frontiers.
Amendment proposed:
Cancel the Article, or, at least:
- a.
- Insert in sub-paragraph 1–a the following underlined words: “The system of permanent Italian fortifications and military installations [Page 172] of an offensive character along the Franco-Italian frontier, and likewise their armaments of an offensive nature, shall be destroyed or removed. [”]
- b.
- In sub-paragraph 1–b after the words: “pill-boxes of any type”, insert: “in which are installed weapons capable of firing on French territory or on French territorial waters as well as observation posts capable of directing fire on to French territory or French territorial waters”. Cancel the remaining portion of the Article after the word: “shelters”.
- c.
- In sub-paragraph 1–c in the place of “within one year from” write “as soon as possible after the” (and this for the same reasons expounded for the amendment proposed for Art. 5).
- d.
- Suppress sub-paragraph 3–b.
- e.
- Suppress paragraph 4.
Article 41
The same amendments proposed for Article 40 are reproposed for the same reasons. As regards the defence of the Italian seashore it is asked that paragraphs 4 and 5 be substituted with a clause somewhat as follows: “Italy pledges herself, after the coming into force of the present Treaty, to negotiate with the four Powers and with Yugoslavia and Albania the definition of the reciprocal measures of demilitarisation which may bring about conditions of peace and mutual assistance in the Adriatic.”
Article 43, Paragraph 1.—Reason for proposal
The need for a minimum of defense in the Straits of Bonifacio.
Amendment proposed: Substitute the whole paragraph with one reading somewhat as follows: “Italy pledges herself, after the coming into force of this Treaty, to enter into negotiations with France in order to define the reciprical measures of demilitarisation needed to bring about mutual conditions of security in the Straits of Bonifacio”.
Article 43, Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4.—Reasons for proposal
By infringing on the right of self-defence, the restrictions they establish are a serious check on the possibility of timely defence.
Amendment proposed
Substitute the three paragraphs with one reading somewhat as follows: “Italy pledges herself to confine her military fortifications in Sardinia and Sicily to those strictly necessary for the defence of the islands.”
[Page 173]Article 44.—Reason for proposal
To have the possibility of employing self-propelled missiles within the limits of anti-aircraft, anti-tank and anti-landing defence.
Amendment proposed
After the words: “connected with their discharge” add: “with the exception of those designed for anti-aircraft or anti-tank fire provided their range is not over 30 kilometres”. Instead of the words: “Any guns with a range of over 30 kilometres” write: “Any guns installed in such a way as to have a range of over 30 kilometres”.
Article 52.—Reason for proposal
The need for reserve armaments and equipment for the forces permitted, and to replace such armaments and equipment rendered even temporarily unserviceable.
Amendment proposed
Add a third paragraph reading as follows: “In the determination of armaments required, by the Italian Army an adequate reserve quota will be borne in mind.”
Article 55, Paragraph 1.—Reason for proposal
The need not to reduce further the small force of 350 aircraft.
Proposed Amendment
Modify paragraph 1 as follows: “The Italian Air Force, including any Naval Air Army, shall be limited to a force of 200 fighter and reconnaissance types and 150 transport, airsea rescue, training (school type) types of aircraft. These totals will not include reserve aircraft which shall not exceed 40% of the above totals.” The rest of the paragraph to stand.
Article 55, Paragraph 2.—Reason for proposal
The need to dispose of weapons suitable to counteract ground or sea assault craft.
Amendment proposed
Substitute the paragraph with the following: “The fighter aircraft designed to support ground or sea forces in operations of defence of frontiers may be equipped with arms suitable to engage mobile surface objectives.”
[Page 174]Article 58.—Reason for proposal
In view of the latitude with which Annex 5 (C) defines “war material” it is feared that such broad and vague wording may give rise to transfer of equipment other than was contemplated in the Section of the Draft dealing with reparation.
Amendment proposed
Paragraphs 1 and 4 of the Article should read as follows:
Par. 1.—“All war material of Italian origin in excess of that permitted for the Armed Forces specified in Sections III, IV, and V shall he destroyed or reconverted for non-military use; the part not re-convertible for civilian purposes may be used by Italy for the payment of reparations to the Allied Nations.
Par. 4.—In the sentence: “Italy shall renounce all rights to the above-mentioned war material” substitute “above-mentioned war material” with “the war material mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article”, and:
Add to the sentence: “lists of all excess war material” the words: “mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article”.
[Page 177]-
The proposed amendment to part IV section III of the draft Peace Treaty are based upon observations included in the following memorandums:
- a)
- “Considerations regarding the Italian Navy with reference to the Peace Treaty” (April 1946).
- b)
- “Considerations by the Italian Government with respect to the Naval Clauses of the draft Peace Treaty” (July 1946).
- c)
- “Additional considerations by the Italian Government regarding the Naval clauses of the Draft Peace Treaty” (August 1946). Doc. 5 M.—,
which must be considered as official documents of the Italian Documentation sent the Peace Conference. [Footnote in the source text.]
↩ - The figure of 82,000 Tons is calculated on the basis of Ann. 4/A as amended. [Footnote in the source text.]↩
- The Memorandum of July 1946 stated that, even after all the possible reductions, the complement of the Italian Navy cannot be reduced much under the requested 40.000 men. A thorough examination has enabled to fix at approximately 12.5% the entity of such reduction; this makes for the figure of 35.000 men mentioned above. [Footnote in the source text.]↩
- Owing to the conditions of the Italian ships and to the wear and tear on them during the past years, and the consequent need of frequent repairs, one must calculate that, on an average ⅔ of them will be in full commission and ⅓ under repair. For this reason as also for the general considerations expounded in the Memorandum of Avril 1946 (p. 11), it is thought that at least 6 cruisers have to be left to Italy, 4 of which of the same type with 6 inch, guns, and 2 with 5, 4 inch guns. [Footnote in the source text.]↩
- The same remarks made for the cruisers apply even more to the destroyers, and justify the request of 8 destroyers. The larger number of destroyers requested comes together with a corresponding reduction of the number from 16 to 12 of the torpedo-boats. [Footnote in the source text.]↩
- Obviously the overage torpedo-boats have been excluded. [Footnote in the source text.]↩
- They are necessary for the fundamental needs of the training of anti-submarine units. [Footnote in the source text.]↩
- It is pointed out that Finland, Roumania, and Bulgaria have been granted the right to have M. T. B.s for defensive purposes. Nations which are far better off than Italy with regard to defensive needs (length of the coast line—geographical shape and position—vulnerability of objectives—entity of sea - traffic, etc.). [Footnote in the source text.]↩
- In the opinion of the Italian Government, Annex 4/A should be limited to major and minor war vessels, and should not include auxiliary ships. Therefore the list of Ann. 4/A should stop here. Anyway the auxiliary ships which Italy requests in accordance with the needs of the Navy are included in the following list, [Footnote in the source text.]↩
- 12 MZ have been included in this category as the characteristics of these units are such that they cannot be looked upon as landing craft, but are real transport units as is proved by the use that has always been made of them. Not being suited for long trips, and their engines being very delicate, it would be difficult for other Nations to find any use for them. If necessary their weapons could be removed. [Footnote in the source text.]↩
- To be bought from Great Britain as war surplus. [Footnote in the source text.]↩