811.00F/201
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Italy (Long)
Sir: I refer to instruction No. 366 of February 14, 1935,37 transmitting a copy of a memorandum of the conversation which an officer of the Division of Western European Affairs had on February 7 with the Italian Ambassador,37 in regard to Fascist propaganda in the United States, and enclose, for your confidential information, a copy of a memorandum of the conversation which the Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs had on February 20 with the Italian Ambassador,37 with further reference to this subject. I enclose also a copy of the aide-mémoire38 referred to in the memorandum of the latter conversation.
You will note that the Ambassador has confidentially expressed the opinion that he would be more likely to be successful in complying with the suggestions of this Government, stated in the final paragraph of the aide-mémoire referred to above, if you were to bring this matter to the attention of the Italian Foreign Office. I am anxious to put an end to the unsatisfactory situation which has been created by the improper activities of over zealous Italian consular officers as quickly as possible in order to forestall any further public agitation of this question. I am also anxious to deal with the matter in such a way as to make it as easy as possible for the Italian Government to recall the offending officers and to reverse the policy of reviving Fascist propaganda in this country which it has apparently initiated. I [Page 546] have, therefore, thought it advisable to comply with the Ambassador’s suggestion.
You are instructed to seek an interview with the appropriate official of the Italian Foreign Office and to inform him that you have been informed that the Department has brought the improper activities of certain Italian consular officers in this country to the attention of the Italian Ambassador. You are further instructed to base your conversation upon the contents of the enclosed aide-mémoire, to emphasize the serious light in which this Government views the activities of the Italian consular officers referred to therein, and to express the hope that he may find it possible to comply with the suggestions which have been made to the Ambassador, before public agitation in this country is permitted to assume such proportions as to disturb the very cordial relations now existing between the two countries.
Inasmuch as the Italian Ambassador has been exceedingly frank in explaining his own point of view in regard to this matter and the extent to which it differs from that held by certain other officials of his Government, I feel that it is highly important that the statements which he has made to officers of the Department be considered as particularly confidential.
Please report by telegram the results of your interview with the Foreign Office.
Very truly yours,