852.00/2768: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 24—4:35 p.m.
345. My 342, August 22, 9 a.m. In a conversation with the French Ambassador on the subject of the Italian reply on the matter of “nonintervention” in Spain, Chambrun stated that he was well satisfied with the reply and believed that it was an important step toward eliminating the dangerous international complications that were being built up around the Spanish question. He emphasized the fact that the second part of the reply contained “observations” on the part of the Italian Government and stated very definitely that they should [Page 511] not be considered in the nature of “reservations”. In referring to the passages in the reply regarding the inadmissibility of public subscriptions and the enlistment of volunteers, Chambrun gave as his interpretation thereof that while it might be difficult for the French Government to prevent individuals on its territory from subscribing funds it could prohibit the transfer of such funds to Spain and, in a like manner, while it might be difficult for the French Government to prevent individuals from enrolling on French territory it could prohibit those who had enrolled from crossing the frontier. With regard to the extension of the pledge of non-intervention to other arms-producing states, Chambrun said that only European states were envisaged because the position of the United States was understood and it was definitely intended not to offer Japan this opportunity as a pretext to inject itself into Mediterranean politics.
British circles here reflect the same satisfaction as expressed by the French Ambassador.