852.00/2605: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 15—8 a.m.]
335. My 327, August 11, 4 p.m. The French Ambassador tells me that serious difficulties are being experienced in connection with the negotiations with Italy regarding the declaration of non-intervention in Spain owing to the insistence on the part of the Italian Government that the collection of funds and the enlistment of men on foreign territories be specifically prohibited. He said that an accord might be reached on the latter point and that he has met with some success in his discussions here by making a distinction between “enlistment” and “recruiting.” As regards the matter of financial aid, however, an agreement seems more remote in that the Italians are firm in insisting on a stipulation against the collection abroad and transfer of money to the contending factions in Spain as opposed to the establishment [Page 485] of credits on behalf of those factions whereas certain other countries are more interested in allowing the collection and transfer of funds than in permitting the establishment of credits. The Ambassador added that as the French Government had submitted the original proposal not only to Italy but to other countries as well France was not free to make important alterations in that proposal solely to meet the views of the Italian Government. This consideration, however, does not seem to impress the Italians and consequently he envisaged the possibility that conversations might be protracted while in the meantime events in Spain were apparently developing towards some conclusion.