860A.01/7–944: Telegram

The Acting Representative to the Provisional Government of the French Republic at Algiers (Lawton) to the Secretary of State

2345. From Murphy. I have informed SAC13 and MAAF14 of substance your 2128 July 7, 3 p.m. I should appreciate your confirmation whether Department concurs in view of British Foreign Office stated in a telegram just received by British Resident Minister15 that if territory of San Marino is being used by enemy there is no reason to abstain from military action against it.

The Foreign Office cable further states that as regards action to be taken when Allied armies arrive on frontier of San Marino and when it becomes included in area of liberated Italy the British Government consider that Allied Military Government should only be set up if local government has ceased to exist or is clearly a puppet of the enemy and if a neutral government cannot be got to function.

Sent to Department, repeated as 39 to Naples. [Murphy.]

Lawton
  1. Supreme Allied Commander.
  2. Mediterranean Allied Air Force.
  3. Harold Macmillan.